I think the condom deserves some applause. It’s easy to feel...well nothing when it comes to the condom, these days. Not only are they the thinnest they’ve ever been, but they’ve solidified their place in our common culture as a must-have. No glove, no love as they say. It may seem like this safe sex staple is relatively new, but the innocuous condom has a long, twisting history.
11,000 BCE
The first known depiction of people using a condom was found in France. An ancient cave drawing depicts a man engaging in intercourse wearing what historians believe is some sort of animal skin for protection.
1000 BCE - 500 AD
As shown in the hieroglyphics, Egyptian men wore loincloths to protect their genitals from sun exposure. It’s suggested that they would dye the loincloths in various colors to make them more attractive and appealing. This is primarily attributed to the worship of the god of reproduction and fertility. The loincloths could also have prevented injuries. Some historians speculate that the Egyptian men would wrap their penises in thin sheets of linen to protect the penis during combat or from insect bites, tropical diseases, or evil spirits.
Likewise, an early reference of the condom is in Ancient Greece. Mythology tells us Minos has “serpents and scorpions” in his semen, making use of some form of contraceptive to protect his wife. The condom was most likely to have been a goat’s bladder.
For Ancient Romans, the use of animal bladders and other intestines continued. However, at the end of the Roman empire, documentation of contraceptive use ceased to exist and didn’t re-emerge in Europe until the 15th century.
1400s
In ancient China, men used silk paper lubricated and soaked in special oils to cover the penis and help prevent infections. Chinese women also found use for the silk paper: They capped a stick with the lubricated silk paper and used it as a dildo. In ancient Japan, on the other hand, was called the Glans condom, as it only covered the tip of a man’s penis. It could be made from anything; some examples include the obvious like animal intestines while others, like silk paper, animal horns, tortoise shells are a little more intriguing. Many of these more untraditional objects were prone to slipping off and could potentially get lodged inside the receiving person.
1500s
It was in the 16th century that the condom became a protector against STIs. At this time, syphilis raged throughout Europe. To combat the raging venereal disease, Italian physician Gabrielle Fallopio created the new and improved condom. Fallopio, also the physician that the Fallopian Tubes are named after, hypothesized that a chemical-soaked linen sheath that fit over the penis and was tied with a ribbon around the shaft to hold it in place could prevent the spread of syphilis. Equipping 1000 participants with his new invention, Fallopio tested this theory and was pleasantly surprised when none of his subjects contracted the disease. This was the first time a condom of any kind was used to protect against STIs.
1700s
With Fallopio’s invention certified, condoms made from animal intestines became more widely available. These condoms could be found in pubs, barbershops, and other gathering spaces for men throughout Europe and Asia. However, animal condoms were pricier, so those who bought them often reused them.
1800s
In 1839 Charles Goodyear invented rubber vulcanization. This would bring him fame for multiple reasons, one being his tire empire, the other is the first rubber condom, which was birthed in 1855. These condoms would come to be known as “rubbers” but they were far from perfect. These fell off easily and only covered the glans (head of the penis) similar to the ancient Japanese example. Due to the inaccuracy, those who truly wanted an effective condom could seek out a custom fitting, though the price was surely an issue.
1920
Just as groundbreaking as Goodyear’s rubber condoms, with the turn of the 20th century, latex was invented. Another perk of the latex condom was its longer shelf life—where rubber condoms had a shelf life of three months, latex condoms last five years!
1957
Condom brand Durex creates the first condom with lubrication.
1965
The use of condoms continues to grow as 42% of sexually active adults use condoms. Additionally, 60% of married couples reported that they had used condoms in the bedroom.
1980
It was the AIDS epidemic in the 80s that made the condom the billion-dollar industry that it is today.
What’s Next?
The BBC recently reported on the future of the condom—and it looks bright. From self-lubricating to ones with medication in the tips that attack STIs, we’ve got a lot to look forward to. The article goes into detail about the latest material to make condoms even thinner. One promising idea is to use graphene—an ultrathin single layer of carbon atoms. This material allows the condom to be made 20% thinner while retaining its current strength.
At the moment, the Global Protection Corporation is “offering condoms that come in 10 different lengths and nine circumferences. Even cooler, The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University is testing a new type of condom that uses a built-in applicator, which allows the condom to be put on without being touched. It also comes with a pull tab on the wrapper to make opening even easier, and safer—the aim is to “prevent potential damage of a condom in a conventional foil wrapper.”
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The goal of this piece is to continue normalizing the condom, perfecting it, making it more accessible to and for all. Maybe soon we’ll hear more about men’s birth control...
By Shelby Lueders
Works Referenced
“A Brief History of the Condom.” 2020. Maude
Chowdhry, Sundeep, Prashansa Jaiswal, Paschal D’Souza, and Tapan Kumar Dhali. 2019. “The Condom.” Sexuality & Culture 23 (2): 674-83.
Lee, Chermaine. 2021. “The Search to Make a Perfect Condom.” BBC Future. BBC.
Stice, Joel. 2020. “A History of Condom: From Sheep Intestines to Latex.” All Things Interesting.