The GuardianThe Guardian

The deadly truth about a world built for men – from stab vests to car crashes

By Caroline Criado Perez

23 Feb 2019 · 16 min read

Crash-test dummies based on the ‘average’ male are just one example of design that forgets about women – and puts lives at risk

When broadcaster Sandi Toksvig was studying anthropology at university, one of her female professors held up a photograph of an antler bone with 28 markings on it. “This,” said the professor, “is alleged to be man’s first attempt at a calendar.” Toksvig and her fellow students looked at the bone in admiration. “Tell me,” the professor continued, “what man needs to know when 28 days have passed? I suspect that this is woman’s first attempt at a calendar.”

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