Condoms - In your Language

HISTORY

The origin of the word 'condom' is still unknown. Folklore attributes the invention to Dr. Condom or Conton, who kept King Charles II of England (1600) supplied with sheaths made from animal tissue to reduce the risk of infection during his many encounters with prostitutes. They also came in handy as a way to control the proliferation of royal bastards. It is more likely, however, that the name derives from the Latin 'condus', meaning receptacle.

The condom is one of the oldest forms of contraception. Early versions of the condom were used primarily for birth control, and were made of linen, leather, or other naturally, soft, malleable materials.

1000 BC

Condom use can be traced back several thousand years. It is known that around 1000 BC the ancient Egyptians used a linen sheath for protection against disease. The Japanese are said to have had a choice of two types, one made of thin leather, the other made of tortoise shell or horn.

100 - 200 AD

Images of sheaths have been found among the prehistoric drawings on cave walls, the earliest evidence of condom use in Europe comes from scenes in cave paintings at Combarelles in France. There is also some evidence that some form of condom was used in imperial Rome. Citizens of ancient Rome used condoms made from goat bladders for birth control. Devices made from goat and sheep intestines would later be employed as a means of combating sexually transmitted diseases, like syphilis. The Chinese used oiled silk paper as a preventative.

500's

The use of the condom for disease prevention increased in the 16th and 17th centuries following the voyages of discovery and plunder to the New World. The syphilis epidemic that spread across Europe gave rise to the first published account of the condom. Gabrielle Fallopius, as an authority on sex and sexuality in his lifetime, described a sheath of linen he claimed to have invented to protect men against syphilis. Having been found useful for prevention of infection, it was only later that the usefulness of the condom for the prevention of pregnancy was recognized. Later in the 1500s, one of the first improvements to the condom was made, when the linen cloth sheaths were sometimes soaked in a chemical solution and then allowed to dry prior to use. These were the first spermicides on condoms.

1700's

The first published use of the word 'condum' was in a 1706 poem. At that time, even the most famous lover of all, Casanova, was using the condom as a birth control as well as against infection. Condoms made out of animal intestines began to be available. However, they were quite expensive and the unfortunate result was that they were often reused. This type of condom was described at the time as "an armour against pleasure, and a cobweb against infection". In the second half of the 1700's, a trade in handmade condoms thrived in London and some shops where producing handbills and advertisements of condoms.

1800's

The use of condoms was affected by technological, economic and social development in Europe and the US in 1800s. Condom manufacturing was revolutionized by the discovery of rubber vulcanization by Goodyear (founder of the tire company) and Hancock. This meant that is was possible to mass produce rubber goods including condoms quickly and cheaply. Vulcanization is a process, which turns the rubber into a strong elastic material. In 1861 the first advertisement for condoms was published in an American newspaper when The New York Times printed an ad for 'Dr. Power's French Preventatives'. In 1873, the Comstock Law was passed. Named after Anthony Comstock, the Comstock Law made illegal the advertising of any sort of birth control, and it also allowed the postal service to confiscate condoms sold through the mail.

1900's

Until the 1920's, most condoms were manufactured by hand-dipping from rubber cement. These kinds of condoms aged quickly and the quality was doubtful. In 1919, Frederick Killian initiated hand-dipping from natural rubber latex in Ohio. The latex condoms had the advantage of aging less quickly and being thinner and odorless. These new type of condoms enjoyed a great expansion of sales. By the mid-1930s, the fifteen largest makers in the U.S. were producing 1.5 million condoms a day. The Durex brand is credited with many developments in the modern evolution of the condom. These include the first lubricated condom, the first anatomically shaped condom and more recently, the world's first non-latex condom. In 1957, the very first lubricated condom was launched in the UK by Durex. From the early 1960s, use of condoms as a contraceptive device declined as the pill, the coil and sterilization became more popular. The use of the condom increased strikingly in many countries following the recognition of HIV/AIDS in the 1980's. Condoms also became available in pubs, bars, grocery stores and supermarkets. In 1994, the world's first polyurethane condom for men was launched in the US. The 1990s also saw the introduction of colored and flavored condoms.

LATEX CONDOMS

In 1839, Charles Goodyear discovered a way of processing natural rubber, which is too stiff when cold and too soft when warm, in such a way as to make it elastic. This had advantages for making condoms; unlike the sheep’s' gut condoms, they could stretch and did not tear so quickly when used. Those very early rubbers had a seam and were as thick as an inner tube, so they could not have been very comfortable. Besides this type, small rubber condoms covering only the gland were often used in England and the United States. There was more risk of losing them, of course, and if the rubber ring was too tight, it would constrict the penis. This condom was the original "capote" (French for condom), perhaps because of its similarity to a woman's bonnet worn at the time, also called a capote. A century later it was hoped the invention of plastic and other man-made materials would lead to an improvement in the quality of condoms. That was not the case, but the speedy deterioration of the rubber was improved. Since that time, condoms have not only become thinner but also more reliable. In 1995, plastic condoms went on the market in the USA.
MANUFACTURING

Latex, the sap from a rubber tree is the raw material for condoms. It is obtained by making a slanted cut in the bark of the tree. A bucket is hung under the cut which catches the sap. It is a continual and labor intensive process. More than 80% of rubber is used in the car industry, mainly for tires. Rubber plantations are primarily located in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. The production of condoms from latex is relatively simple and since 1920, has virtually remained unchanged. In the condom factory, a large vat is filled with latex and various chemicals are added to ensure the durability of the end product. Next, a row of glass moulds (in the form of condoms), suspended from a conveyor belt, are plunged into the latex, a technique known as "dipping". The moulds go through a series of latex dips, turning themselves around to insure even distribution and a thin layer of latex. Between each dip, they are dried with hot air and vulcanized. This treatment insures optimal malleability, elasticity and durability. The condoms are then released by a powerful water-jet spray. Next, in the finishing phase, the condoms are dried and powdered. They then go through a series of procedures to test their quality. Afterwards a lubricant may be added and they are packaged in a hygienic, airtight aluminum pack. During the entire production process the condoms are constantly undergoing quality controls. Condoms are never offer 100% safe, but if used properly they are very reliable and give excellent protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

PRESENT DAY

In more recent years, improved technology has enabled the thickness of the condom to decrease. Also, condom manufacturers have recognized that one type of condom does not please everyone. You can now find condoms that have different shapes and sizes; are flavored, ribbed, studded; have more lubricant, etc.

FEMALE CONDOM

The female condom is a strong, soft, transparent polyurethane sheath inserted in the vagina before sexual intercourse, providing protection against both pregnancy and STIs. It forms a barrier between the penis and the vagina, cervix and external genitalia. It is stronger than latex, odourless, causes no allergic reactions, and, unlike latex, may be used with both oil-based and water-based lubricants. It can be inserted prior to intercourse, is not dependent on the male erection, and does not require immediate withdrawal after ejaculation. The female condom has no known side-effects or risks.

In the 1990s, the female condom made its appearance and has gained considerable popularity for its advantages over the male condom, namely, that it can be inserted several hours before intercourse and that its use is under the woman’ control.

The female condom has been studied in many settings around the world with a great number of positive results. In the World Health Organization (WHO) and Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) monograph The Female Condom: An information pack (April 1997), it was concluded that, “The female condom has been shown to contribute to women’s sense of empowerment, especially if supported by education and informational activities.”

TIPS FOR SAFE CONDOM USE.

1. Find the condom that fits best. A condom that is too large, can easily slip off, but a condom that's too tight is uncomfortable and the risk of tearing is greater. How well a condom fits depends on its circumference. Length is less important.
2. Store condoms in a cool, dry place (but a refrigerator is too cold!). Condom vending machines outdoors shouldn't stand where the sun can heat them up.
3. Always check the expiry date on the foil, and read the instructions.
4. If a condom looks damaged, feels sticky, or you're at all unsure about it, throw it away and use another one.
5. Before you unroll a condom, always squeeze the tip between thumb and forefinger so that no air can get trapped and there is enough space to catch the semen. BE CAREFUL with sharp or torn fingernails. If necessary, use extra lubricant. Because if a condom gets too dry, it may tear.
6. Always use a water- or silicone-based lubricant! Oil will damage the condom. So avoid any contact with suncare products, vaseline, massage oil, baby oil, etc. Check the instructions when using vaginal medicines and sprays. They can damage the condom.

1. Never expose your condoms to direct light (i.e. sunlight, or a lamp). Light and heat can have a bad effect on latex.
2. Don't keep your condoms together with sharp objects (keys, nailscissors, etc.).
3. Don't open the foil with scissors or anything sharp. That could damage the condom.
4. Don't unroll the condom before use (or try filling it with or air). It will no longer be reliable.
5. Use a new condom for each type of sex. So don't use the same condom for oral sex first and then intercourse. Change condoms in between!
6. Don't have intercourse with one condom for too long. After a while the condom weakens and can become too dry. Extra lubricant helps to protect tearing.
7. Watch out with piercings. The stubble that forms after skin has been shaved can damage a condom.

POPULAR NAMES

Over the years, condoms have been known by a host of different names. Some of them are inventively descriptive, while others sound strangely cryptic to the ears of modern readers. The following is just a sample, and is assumed by this writer to be far from complete:
In the US
Bob; Cap; Cock Sock; Condominium; Condomus Maximus; cover Dick-Sock; Dinger; Dobber; Franger; French Letter; Gentleman's Jerkin; Glove; Hats; Hazmat Suit; Home Hood; Jimmie Hatz; Jimmy; Jimmy Cap, Jimmy Hat; Johnnies; Johnny Bag; Johnson; Life Jacket; Love Glove; Love Sock; Mr. Prevention; Nodding Sock; Poshie; Prophelactic; Protection; Raincoat; Robber; Robber Johnnies; Rubber; Rubber Magic; Rubber Straitjacket; Rubberz; Salami Sling; Sex Shark Warmer; Sheaths; Sleeve; Snake Charmer; Sombrero; The Goalie, The Tour Guide; Umbrella; Willie Hat; Willie Warmer; Wiener Wrap.

Condom users in other lands have their own popular names:

Australia - Love glove
Denmark - Gummimand­, for "Rubberman,"
England - Raincoat
England/US - French letter
France - Capote Anglaise
Germany - Lummeltute - naughty bag
Greece - Kapota - overcoat
Hong King - Pei Dang Vi, for "Bulletproof Vest,"
Hungary - Ovsver, for "Safety Tool,"
Portugal - Camisa De Venus, for "Venus Shirt,"
Nigeria - Okpuamu, for "Penis Hat,"
Indonesia - Koteca, for "Penis Gourd," and
Spain - Globo, for "Balloon."