The History of Condoms

The condom is one of the oldest forms of contraception. Its history and use can be traced back thousands of years.

It is believed that a form of modern-day condoms were used by the Egyptians as far back as 1,000 B.C.

The earliest evidence of condom use in Europe are scenes from cave paintings at Combarelles in France. Dated 100 to 200 AD.

The first known published description and trials regarding prophylactic condom use were recorded by the Italian Gabrielle Fallopius in the 1500's. He claimed to have invented a sheath made of linen and conducted trials amongst 1,100 men using the condom - none of who became infected with syphilis.

The origin of the word 'condom' is still unknown. Folklore attributes the invention to Dr. Condom or Conton, who was at the court of King Charles II in the 1600's. It is more likely, however, that the name derives from the Latin 'condus', meaning receptacle.

The world's oldest condom

This is the oldest surviving condom in the world. The reusable condom dates back to 1640 and is completely intact, as is its original users’ manual, written in Latin.

The manual suggests that users immerse the condom in warm milk prior to its use to avoid diseases. The antique, found in Lund in Sweden, is made of pig intestine and is one of 250 ancient objects related to sex were on display at the Tirolean County Museum in Austria.