As long as there has been sex, people have been trying to find ways to control it's consequences. Certainly our species has a will to reproduce, but there are times when it is undesirable. The History of Contraception Museum outside of Toronto, Canada collect and displays contraception methods used all over the world and throughout history. Some seem sensible, while others sound horrific. (Have you seen some of those early IUDs?)

Here is another article on the museum, with some more display case images.

While searching for more information on the block pessary, I found the curriculum for The History of Birth Control,a class offered at Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, which has some fascinating information. I wish was were able to attend this course.