The Evolution of Condoms
By: Mariah Alexander
The
condom is one of the most popular choices for contraception; they are also the
oldest form. It is believed that the Ancient Egyptians were the first to wear
them. Although, there is no evidence that they were commonly used in Ancient Egypt
for contraception being that they worshipped the good of reproduction. Many
forms of “penis protectants” were used during this time to protect that area
during combat, from insect bites, disease and evil spirits.[1]
Over the years, condoms have
drastically evolved. The first condoms used by the Ancient Egyptians, as stated
before, were made of a linen sheath for protection against sexually transmitted
diseases. Much later, in the 1500s, during the syphilis epidemic, was the first
published account of a condom. It was a “sheath of linen” that was claimed to
have been invented to protect men from contracting syphilis. But later was
found useful for the prevention of pregnancy. Soon after there was a great
improvement made to the condoms. The linen cloths were saturated in a chemical
and the dried before use, the first spermicides used on condoms. [2]
The first recorded use of the word condom was
in a poem, by Lord Belhaven, in 1706. (Youssef) It is said that Condom was the
doctor of King Charles II and created the condom to keep the king from having
any more illegitimate children. The condom was made of animal intestines and
was very expensive. It’s cost made this choice for contraception very uncommon
(Condoms: Effectiveness, History
and Availability).
By the 1800’s,
rubber vulcanization was discovered. Making it easy to mass-produce condoms
cheaply. This is was the beginning of the condom that is familiar to us today (Condoms: Effectiveness, History and Availability).
In 1919, we
began hand dipping from natural rubber latex. Latex condoms had an advantage;
they aged less quickly and were thinner than rubber condoms and odorless. The
new latex condoms had a great growth in sales and by the 1930s more that 15
million condoms were being produced a day (Condoms: Effectiveness, History and Availability).
This brings us
to present day condoms. With technology advancement companies can now offer
condoms of different materials, thicknesses, sizes, widths, textures and with
lubrication.
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