An Overview of the Condom's History

Condoms have been acknowledged for their ability to prevent unplanned pregnancy and more importantly the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Despite the popularity of such products, however, not all people are aware how they actually came to be. As such, in an effort to further understand the development of condom, what follows below is a look at its brief history.

The history of condom use dates from as far back as 1000 BC, when the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans utilized loincloths to protect themselves against diseases. However, it should be noted that the said civilizations perceived the use of birth control as the responsibility of women, and the only documented female controlled devices used back then were pessaries and amulets.

It was during the 16th century when the very first known trials and description about the use of prophylactic condom were documented in Italy. A man name Gabrielle Fallopios said that he invented a protective sheath from linen soaked in a chemical solution. According to his tract, De Morbo Gallico, the sheaths were used to cover the penis' glans and were held in place by a ribbon. He also noted that he conducted several trials among 1100 men – wearing a sheath during intercourse – none of whom had contracted Syphilis.

After De Morbo Gallico was published, numerous publications followed suit and the use of penis coverings caught on and was worn enthusiastically by numerous men, including King Charles I and his courtiers, throughout Europe during the Renaissance period.

By the 18th century, references to the use of condom became more widespread, though public reception was not at all positive. Some argued that the use of condom was immoral and can cause for the deterioration of human race by advocating pre-marital sex. Despite the controversies, however, the condom market grew steadfast and a wide variety of sizes and qualities were sold in chemist shops, pubs, theaters, barbershops and open-air markets. Other than linen, condoms made from animal bladder and intestines were also developed.

As with any other innovation, earlier versions of condom had their own share of problems, notably noblemen reusing their condoms, which in turn only increased the risk of contracting the disease that they were preventing to spread. Perhaps more significantly, they were expensive to many people, especially the working classes.

The next revolution in condoms began in the 19th century, when vulcanized rubber was used in place of cloths and animal intestines. Vulcanization is a process where crude rubber is transformed into an elastic material. The process was credited to Charles Goodyear, and the late 1850's the mass production of rubber condoms became prevalent.

It was during 1930s when improvements in Latex manufacturing process had significantly improved, paving the way for the development of a new generation of condoms. Since latex condoms were proven durable and thinner than their rubber counterparts, they became widely popular and were even distributed to military members during World War II. Since then, manufacturers improved the quality of condoms, with the early 1950s witnessing the introduction of the reservoir tip in latex condoms as well as the sensation-deadening design that was aimed at ending premature ejaculation.

In the early 1980s after the discovery and spread of AIDS, condoms became a vital sexual accessory, providing protection against unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Subsequently in the 1990s, condoms started to be sold in numerous retail outlets and programs supporting condom use were campaigned.

Nowadays, condoms come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, textures, colors and flavors, and play an integral role in the promotion of safe sex in different countries worldwide.