When Were Condoms Invented?

Condoms may seem like a modern invention, but their history dates back thousands of years. So, when were condoms invented, and who invented condoms? This is a hot topic, with historians debating the exact origins of condoms. Used for both contraception and disease prevention, these protective barriers have played a crucial role in human health and sexuality. In this blog, we’ll unpack the origins of condoms, from ancient linen sheaths to today’s ultra-thin latex designs, showcasing how condoms have evolved over time. 

Ancient Times

When were condoms invented? Historians debate the topic extensively. Some argue that condoms were invented during medieval times, whereas others believe they date back even further to ancient Egypt. One study found that the first known documentation of condoms was by King Minos of Crete around 3,000 B.C., when the King used the bladder of a goat to prevent the transmission of disease.¹ During this time, it became more common for people to use animal bladders to prevent accidental pregnancy and disease. 

Other early instances of condoms have been recorded in Asia, where some used condoms to cover just the head of the penis. In China, condoms were made from oiled silk paper or lamb intestines, and in Japan, they were made of tortoise shells or animal horns.² During these times, condoms were generally only available to the wealthier class.

Renaissance to 18th Century

During the Renaissance, syphilis emerged as a threat to people having sex. During this era, condom use evolved from crude protective barriers to more refined contraceptive tools that were used for both disease prevention and as a form of birth control. A physician named Gabriele Falloppio is credited with inventing condoms that were soaked in chemicals to ward off syphilis.³

The first known use of the word condom came in 1666 when a report stated that birth rates were down due to the use of “condoms.”⁴

19th Century to Early 20th Century

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, condoms became more readily available to the lower classes. Despite their availability, condoms were a highly controversial item. For one, taboos about sex and STIs affected the public’s opinions of condoms. Plus, many preferred other birth control methods, as condoms were only somewhat reliable compared to other forms of pregnancy prevention. 

In the 1850s, rubber vulcanization, a method of processing rubber that made it stretchy and elastic, was invented. The first rubber condom was invented around 1858.⁴ Around the early 1930s, the first latex condom was invented.⁴ In the 1950s, the history of Durex began with the release of our first condom. As condom materials improved throughout the mid-20th century, their popularity increased. 

Post-AIDS Discovery

As a result of the AIDS epidemic starting in the early 1980s, condom use skyrocketed. As awareness of this virus grew and its devastating effects became clear, public health organizations, governments, and activists pushed for the increased use of condoms as a primary way of preventing HIV and AIDS. Schools and health programs began introducing comprehensive sex education, many countries began subsidizing condoms to make them widely available for free or at a low cost, and many celebrities joined to conversation to destigmatize the use of condoms. By the time the AIDS epidemic settled, condoms were readily available in supermarkets and discount stores. 

Modern Times

Today, how condoms are made is vastly different from ancient times and even those from a few decades ago. People can find both traditional latex condoms and non-latex alternatives like polyisoprene and polyurethane, along with a range of materials, flavors, colors, and textures, allowing for a more pleasurable experience while still maintaining safety and effectiveness. Plus, with increased availability at pharmacies, supermarkets, and even vending machines, along with improved education and awareness, condoms are less of a taboo, leading to increased normalization of condom use.

Conclusion

Looking for the latest in condom science? Discover Durex Intense, the world’s first and only male nitrile condom. Enjoy better body heat transfer and greater moldability for a barely–there sensation. When you use Durex Intense, all you feel is your partner. 

Shop these condoms and other latex and non-latex condoms from Durex. Plus, discover condoms with added sensations, like ribs and dotting, to enhance sensation even more. 

References

1. Khan F, Mukhtar S, Dickinson IK, Sriprasad S. The story of the condom. Indian J Urol. 2013 Jan;29(1):12-5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3649591/ 
2. Marfatia YS, Pandya I, Mehta K. Condoms: Past, present, and future. Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2015 Jul-Dec;36(2):133-9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4660551/ 
3. Tsaraklis, A., et al. Preventing syphilis in the 16th century: the distinguished Italian anatomist Gabriele Falloppio (1523-1562) and the invention of the condom. Le Infezioni in Medicina, n. 4, 395-398, 2017. https://www.infezmed.it/media/journal/Vol_25_4_2017_16.pdf 
4. Collier, Aine. The Humble Little Condom : A History. Amherst, N.Y: Prometheus Books, 2007. Print.
5. Lieberman, Hallie. A Short History of the Condom. JSTOR Daily. 2017. https://daily.jstor.org/short-history-of-the-condom/