Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of the Dalkon Shield tailstring, showing spaces between fibers which led to bacterial infection. The Dalkon Shield was an IUD (intrauterine device) aggressively marketed to women in the early 70s, even though the manufacturer knew of safety problems. Bacteria from one end of the tailstring, in the vagina, could "wick" to the other end, in the uterus, resulting in pelvic infection and pelvic inflammatory disease. Magnification unknown.