Condom, as everyone knows, is a protective sheathe made from rubbery substance such as latex or polyurethane, close at one end and open at another. It protects the user from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (such as AIDS and many more) and helps in avoiding unwanted pregnancy. Condoms come in different sizes, shapes, colors, flavors etc. They also come with varying level of lubricants in them, and user even can choose a condom of his/her choice. But how many of us know about the history of condoms? Where did they come from? Who invented condoms? Who used it first? What kind of material was used for the first condom? Was lubrication used? If yes, then what substance was used as a lubricant? Etc.
It is not very much sure, where the name ‘CONDOM’ came from? But it seems to be derived from a word of Latin origin: ‘CONDUS’ which means a vessel or a container, it is probably because, it was first aimed to hold the semen and bacteria/viruses of diseases that are Sexually Transmitted without letting them enter in the another partner’s body.
Condom is one of the oldest forms of contraception that found its place in history. As per some findings, first condom was used some thousands of year back (although it is not mentioned anywhere the reason of using it). Some paintings found in Egypt depict that condom was used by Egyptians thousands of years back some time before 950 B.C. The use of condoms was not only found in Egypt, but some paintings from Europe also show the same thing, however the paintings in Europe are not that old as far as the time-line concerned that is related to Egyptian condom history, but it can be considered the earliest note of condom use in the modern times.
Condoms made up of leather which were of pouch shaped closed at one end were in use in some other part of the world. Also, as per Japanese history of condoms, various types of condoms were used in Japan. Some condoms were made from leather and some condoms were made from tortoise shell. However, there was no lubricant used with the first use of condoms (at least there is no such note mentioning use of lubricant in history).
The first public demonstration of the condoms is recorded to be around 15th century. It was made and used first in Italy. The name of the person who used it first was Gabrielle. The purpose of making condom was to prevent infection of the disease: Syphilis, which is a Sexually Transmitted Disease. Gabrielle used linen as the basic substance in making condom. As it was a public demonstration; he conducted experiment with a group of over thousand people to prove that the thing that he made was very useful against Sexually Transmitted Disease: Syphilis.
A thread of condom history comes from Rome, where the warriors wore the tubes on their penis which they obtained from the intestines of enemies they killed. Sometimes they wore the intestinal tubes of animals like sheep, goat etc. With the reference from history, by 1700, condom was realized for its use. Many shops were raised to sell condoms.
Till the time vulcanized rubber was created, condoms were made from leather, shells etc. Right after the invention of rubber in 18th century, this new substance was tried to make condom as per its properties that allowed stretching it at certain extent and also it worked as a cover disallowing anything to pass through it.
The world of Condom Manufacturing was once again revolutionized by the change in the material that was used to make condoms. After 1930’s, latex was used to make condoms, as it was of superior quality than the rubber that was used in manufacture of condoms before 1930.
And, now as the time has changed, there are various type of condoms manufactured with varying size, shape, length, strength, color, flavor etc. to lure users and help them enjoy the love making experience at its maximum.
Who were the first user?
source: http://www.buzzle.com
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