History of the Condom

This last week before my vacation starts, we’re going to talk about Safe Sex. Dull? It doesn’t have to be! Today we’re going to look at the most common way to stop pregnancy and STDs; condoms! Specifically, we’re going to cover the history of the condom and believe me, by the end, you’ll be looking far more appreciatively at your little box in the bedside table!
Condoms have been in use for thousands of years, though they looked very different. Evidence of condom use in one form or another dates back the Egyptian times at about 1000 BC when Egyptians used condoms made of silk paper and linen. Cave paintings from France also dates back condom use to about 200 AD which was a visual aid to how condoms were used. However, it’s not until the 1500s that condoms began to enjoy publicised notoriety. An Italian doctor by the name of Fallopius began documenting the use of linen sheath condoms to protect people from syphilis. Uncomfortable to be sure, but the condom did largely do its job and syphilis numbers began to drop among condom users.
In the 1600s, farmers made condoms instead from sheep guts. This is likely the origin of sheepskin condoms. It would probably disgust users now, but they were a cheap route to contraception and were effective. The condom was brought to the attention of the Royal Family in England (King Charles II) and it’s believed that the name ‘condom’ has its origins here. A physician named Dr. Condom/Conton brought it into the public eye and folklore attributes the name to the doctor. More likely though, it comes from the Latin word ‘condus’ or container.
Condoms began to enjoy more widespread use and advertisement starting in the 18th century when leaflets advertising their usefulness began to circulate among the store owners. It was a great thing to sell and many people recognised its usefulness in both contraception and it preventing some diseases. In 1840, condoms made of rubber began to circulate the stores. These condoms were meant to be used over and over again; men were advised to use them until they crumbled before purchasing a new one. Disgusting, no? Not to mention far less safe!
Condoms also enjoyed notoriety in Japan. These condoms were made from horn and tortoise shell, which made them hard, but effective at stopping the flow of sperm.
It wasn’t until the 1930s that the latex condom began working their way around. The process of making latex condoms became more affordable and easier, though you still wouldn’t have seen the range of condoms you see now until the 1990s when a greater range of condoms were available to suit a growing openness about sexuality and wants.
So, the next time you sigh about reaching for that little cardboard box of condoms, be glad that you’re not wearing one made of horn or sheep guts! On a more serious note, the history of condoms proves that the quest to control sexuality and the results of it have been around for thousands of years.