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The earliest mention of condoms is in Homer’s Iliad, where King Minos of Crete’s semen was said to produce snakes and scorpions, killing his concubines
Modern condom technology still relies on latex, but innovations in color, shape, and design have transformed them. (News18)
The word “condom” often sparks curiosity in people of all backgrounds. The evolution of the condom, a device that has redefined sexual freedom globally, dates back over 3,000 years. Modern condoms are soft, thin, flavoured, dotted, and even have climax-delay features.
However, there was a time when condoms were made from the intestinal leather of sheep or goats. Such materials were certainly less comfortable than today’s versions.
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According to PubMed Central, the principle behind condoms has remained unchanged for millennia, focusing on preventing sexually transmitted diseases and conception.
The first historical reference to condoms appears in Homer’s Iliad. The story involves King Minos of Crete, whose semen was believed to have produced snakes and scorpions, leading to the death of his concubines. To prevent further fatalities, a goat’s intestine or bladder was fashioned into a narrow, sac-like covering to be worn over the penis. When the king used it during intercourse with his wife, she subsequently gave birth to eight children.
While the notion of snakes and scorpions emerging from semen may sound exaggerated, the practice of making condoms from animal bladders gained popularity, eventually spreading widely in society. Over time, it evolved into a business, with butchers producing them due to their knowledge of the intestines’ natural elasticity.
Origin Of The First Female Condom
Evidence dating back 1,000 years shows that men in ancient Egyptian culture often used sheaths made of linen during sex. Colored linen was worn to signify social status. Historians believe these sheaths were also designed to combat bilharzia, a tropical disease prevalent in Egypt.
Meanwhile, the ancient Jukas tribe of New Guinea may have been the first to develop a female condom. Made from a special plant, it featured one open end and one closed end. This cup-shaped condom, roughly six inches long, was inserted into the woman’s body, fitting snugly to withstand the pressure of intercourse.
Donna Drucker, assistant director at Columbia University, notes that in ancient times, female condoms were reportedly more popular than male condoms
Early Condoms In China And Japan
Ancient Chinese civilization, famed for its silk craftsmanship, made condoms from silk paper lubricated with oil. As diseases and epidemics spread eastward from Central Europe, these protective coverings became increasingly common.
In Japan, the kabuta-gata, a shell covering for the glans penis, was used. Typically made from tortoise shell, it was occasionally crafted from leather. Kabuta-gata were also employed to assist men experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Scientific Research Paves The Way For The Modern Condom
European scientists played a pivotal role in the early development of the modern condom. In 1564, the renowned Italian anatomist Gabriele Falloppio, after whom the fallopian tubes are named—described a linen sheath designed to protect against the sexually transmitted disease syphilis.
This covering, which only enclosed the glans penis, was tied with a ribbon and lubricated with saliva. Intended for reuse, it was cleaned after each use. Falloppio conducted a study involving 1,100 men, which proved remarkably successful. His work laid the foundation for the modern condom, and by the 17th century, ribbon condoms had become widely used as a contraceptive
India’s Key Role In The Evolution Of The Modern Condom
Condoms were simplified during the 19th and 20th centuries as inventors experimented with waterproof fabrics, gutta-percha (latex from trees), and Indian rubber. While Indian rubber offered promise, early tree-derived rubber condoms were thick, prone to breakage, and became hard and brittle when cooled, though they were soft and flexible when heated.
This issue was resolved by scientist Charles Goodyear in 1844, who patented vulcanized rubber. By 1855, vulcanized rubber condoms were widely marketed, significantly reducing costs and transforming the history of condom manufacturing.
World War II Sparks Surge In Condom Sales
Condom sales surged during World Wars I and II. Soldiers were often issued condoms before deployment due to frequent sexual encounters with women in occupied territories. Initially, the American and British armies refrained from providing condoms, citing moral concerns. However, rising cases of sexually transmitted diseases among troops led to the distribution of condoms before World War II.
Introduction Of Latex Rubber In 1920
New types of condoms emerged shortly after World War I. In the 1920s, latex rubber was developed, producing condoms that were thinner, more durable, and easier to manufacture than vulcanized rubber. This innovation also lowered costs. Latex condoms offered a shelf life of five years, a major improvement over rubber condoms, which maintained quality for only three months.
The Era Of Modern Condoms
Modern condom technology still relies on latex, but innovations in color, shape, and design have transformed them. Today, some condoms incorporate graphene, making them exceptionally thin, strong, and flexible, offering a natural skin-on-skin sensation. Advanced coatings, including super-hydrophilic nanoparticles, improve lubrication, while select condoms feature added benefits such as anti-STD medications, numbing agents, or erection-supporting compounds.
September 26, 2025, 18:38 IST
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Author: News18
