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History of Condoms
More than 3.000 years of history
We started using condoms around 3.000 BC. Condoms were made out of animal’s bladder or intestines, linen, leather, paper and yes, tortoiseshell and animal horns.
As you’ve probably guessed, the Japanese were crazy enough to use tortoiseshell or animal horns for condoms. They called them Kabuta-Gata. Luckily for Japanese men (and women), the arrival of Dutch traders meant, they got access to condoms made from leather (Kawagata or Kyotai).
Since it was made from shell, Kabuta-Gata was also used by those who suffered from erectile dysfunction.
Egyptians used condoms made out of linen sheath around 1000 BC. They wore them to protect themselves from various tropical diseases like bilharzia.
Egyptian men wore colored condoms to distinguish social status within their hierarchy.
In Ancient Rome and in Medieval Europe condoms were made out of linen and animal (sheep or goat) intestines or bladder. They haven’t used condoms as contraceptives, but to prevent the spread of diseases such as syphilis.
Condoms were manufactured by butchers, who understood the high strength intestines and bladders.
Chinese civilization was far more developed in condom production. They used silk paper which was lubricated with oil.
The oldest, still existing, condom is from 1640 and was found in England. The condom is made out of sheep’s intestines. It was reusable and it came with the owner manual in Latin, the universal language at the time. Instructions said men should wash the condom in warm milk to prevent the passing of syphilis.
Gabriele Falloppio was an Italian physician who first wrote about condoms. In the book De Morbo Gallico (meaning “The French Disease”) he describes his…
