The Condom 1564 – The Long History of Contraceptive Methods

Methods of preventing fertilization and pregnancy have a long history. Ancient Egyptians placed crocodile dung mixed with honey in the vagina to prevent conception. Condoms and other blocking devices / barriers have been popular throughout history for reducing pregnancy rates and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea (both caused by bacteria), as well as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Today, condoms made from latex, polyurethane, lamb intestine, or other materials are generally placed over the penis.

One of the first formally published descriptions of the condom appeared in 1564, when Italian physician Gabriele Falloppio described a linen sheath that served as protection against syphilis. In De Morbo Gallico, he writes about his syphilis trials: "I tried the experiment on 1100 men, and I call upon the immortal God to witness that none of them was infected". The famous Venetian adventurer, author, and womanizer Giacomo Casanova used natural-skin condoms, calling them "English riding coats that put the mind at rest." The first rubber condom was produced in 1855, and the New York Times published its first condom advertisement in 1861. Latex condoms, developed in the 1920s, were thinner than rubber and required less labor to manufacture. In the 1930s, automated condom production lines using machinery began operating.

Condom use has been restricted or illegal throughout history. In brief, the US Comstock Act of 1873 allowed the post office to seize condoms sold by mail. In 1890, Julius Schmidt, who ran a famous New York business that initially made skin condoms, was arrested for keeping approximately 700 condoms in his home. Germany banned civilian condom use in 1941. Condoms could not be sold legally in Ireland until 1978.

Description of the article image: Giacomo Casanova (left) and a colleague test their condoms for holes by inflating them. Engraving in Mémoires, écrits par lui-même (1872).

Historical figures mentioned in the article: Gabriele Falloppio (1523–1562), Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seingalt (1725–1798)

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