The History of the Condom

I’ve been watching the TV series Rome recently and all I can say is, “Wow, did they ever like to fuck!” With every second scene featuring a long-haired beauty vigorously riding a well-muscled warrior, I often catch myself wondering how they managed to keep themselves safe from sexually transmitted infections. I mean, they didn’t have condoms back then did they?

Step 1: Foreplay

The use of condoms can be traced back as far as 1,000 B.C. when the Egyptians tested the waters using linen sheaths or oiled silk paper as an early form of condoms.

Sometime between 100- 200 A.D. the earliest visual evidence of condom use appeared. Cave paintings found in France suggest the use of condoms. There is also some evidence condoms were used by our frisky friends in the Roman Empire.

Step 2: Slide it on

In the 1500s, a syphilis epidemic led Gabrielle Fallopius to claim invention of a linen-sheath condom. Originally used to protect men against syphilis, it wasn’t initially realized that it could also prevent pregnancy.

It is speculated that in the 1700s the word ‘condom’ was christened when King Charles II’s doctor, whose name was allegedly Condom, invented the handy device to help the king from accidently planting his seed every which way. However, it’s more likely that it comes from the Latin word for ‘receptacle.’

During Casanova’s reign over romance, people were beginning to ‘slide them on’ as condoms (or ‘English riding coats’ as Casanova called them) were traded and advertised. The use of animal intestines to make condoms began in this period.

Step 3: Lubricate

Things really started to get slick in the 1800s with a revolution in the manufacture of condoms in Europe and the United States. The discovery of vulcanized rubber allowed for faster and cheaper rubber condom production.

‘Dr. Power’s French Preventatives’ was the first printed ad for condoms, published in The New York Times in 1861. Less then a decade later the Cornstock Law made any advertising or mail order of birth control illegal.

Step 4: Stick it in

The 1900s gave way to the thinner latex condom, product expansion, and the very first lubricated condom in 1957, created by Durex.

Along with the sexual revolution of the 60s came the invention of the pill and other birth control methods. At this time condoms started to lose their appeal, contributing to the rise of sexually transmitted infections amongst the free-lovers of the time.

With HIV’s arrival on the scene in the 80s, condom-use regained some swagger, as did condom advocacy, advertisement and sales. The little latex packages were readily available in pubs, bars, grocery stores, and supermarkets – pretty much anywhere you might be reminded of that tingling urge.

The female condom and polyurethane male condom were made available in the early 90s.

Step 5: Spread the love

The availability and variety of condoms today is astounding. Technological advances allow for a more natural sensation with thinner condoms. Condom varieties like ribbed, studded and flavored can actually enhance sex lives.

I know that I, for one, would take a cherry-flavored warming-sensation condom that’s going to tickle me in all the right spots over a pig intestine or strip of leather any day…

So strap on your favorite ‘English Riding Coat’ and feel free to ride. Condoms have you covered!


This article was submitted by Jess Howat. Jess was a practicum student at AIDS Calgary in March. She is currently working towards a Communication Studies degree between SAIT and the University of Calgary.

This blog was originally posted in June 2010 on AIDS Calgary's The A Word http://aidscalgary.blogspot.com/

Taking Care: Your Sexual Health

Whether you are working in the sex trade or not, there are many ways in which you can take care of your sexual health. Anyone can follow these guidelines to ensure their own sexual health safety and the protection of their partner or client’s health. Being informed about your body and your sexuality can lead to a healthier outlook about sex and sexuality. Healthy sexuality also empowers you to take control over your body, as well as the sexual decisions you make. Having the knowledge, understanding, and control over your body can make sex much more enjoyable. Here are some guidelines to get you started:


• Use protection for any sexual activity, including oral sex. There are many types of condoms available, such as regular, female, and flavoured.
• Communicate – Have conversations about taboo subjects, create safe places where people feel comfortable talking about health and sexuality.
• Explore birth control options and choose one that is best suited for you.
• Get tested! Since many STIs have no symptoms, knowing your status is the best way to take control of your sexual health and an important part of taking care of yourself.
• Get treated – If you are diagnosed with an STI that is treatable; follow your doctor’s treatment instructions. This can minimize the risk of passing along an STI to any of your sexual partners.
• Know your limits – Set up a safe partying system with friends, be aware of any situations that might be risky and take precautions. Also know what activities you are willing to do or not do and clearly articulate them.


More sexual health and other related tips…..
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May 4, 2011 - AIDS Calgary Awareness Association (ACAA) would like to formally announce their support of the decriminalization of prostitution. ACAA has recently created a position statement which carefully examines both sides of the decriminalization of prostitution argument including issues such as stigma, public health concerns, deterrence and moral arguments.

ACAA’s Executive Director Simonne LeBlanc has hope that this new policy statement will encourage others to think about valuing all people and broaden conversation of the issue to include males and trans-gendered individuals involved in the sex trade. LeBlanc also states, “We [ACAA] fundamentally believe that those individuals involved in the sex trade who wish to exit should be given every opportunity to do so, and those individuals who choose to stay in the trade should also be allowed the right to do so with their health and safety protected. Our new position statement adopted by our Board of Directors safe guards this belief. We are proud to make our organization’s view points on this issue available to the community.”
ACAA’s recent declaration for the support of the decriminalization of prostitution is also congruent with the beliefs of the Shift program; a program under the ACAA organizational umbrella. Shift is dedicated to providing support, education, outreach and advocacy for those individuals who are currently involved or were previously involved with the sex trade.

This new position statement in support of the decriminalization of prostitution along with ACAA 's position statements on other issues is available online at: http://www.aidscalgary.org/resources/publications.cfm or on Shift's website at http://www.shiftcalgary.org/Page_2.html