Condom
A condom is a close-fitting sheath typically made of rubber or latex that is worn by a man during sexual intercourse. Its primary purposes include preventing pregnancy by capturing sperm and reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The history of condom-like devices dates back thousands of years, with evidence suggesting their use in ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Romans, who employed materials like intestines and linen for protection. The modern rubber condom emerged in the 19th century, revolutionized by Charles Goodyear's vulcanization process, which allowed for mass production. Over the years, the popularity of condoms has grown significantly, with sales in the United States surpassing $1 billion by the early 21st century. Despite historical resistance from certain religious groups, condoms have remained a widely used form of birth control and are recognized as an important tool for public health. The global market for condoms reached over $15 billion by 2013, highlighting their continued relevance and evolution in sexual health practices.
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Condom
A condom is a close-fitting sleeve of rubber that a man places over his penis during sexual intercourse. The use of a condom serves several purposes. It is used mainly to prevent pregnancy, catching any sperm a man may eject before it enters a woman's body. Condoms also prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. The use of condom-like items dates back many centuries. The modern rubber condom was introduced in the nineteenth century. Over the years, high demand led to mass production of condoms, and by the early twenty-first century, condom sales in the United States exceeded $1 billion.
Overview
Some historians believe penis coverings may have been used by cavemen and cavewomen. Archaeologists discovered a 12,000-year-old cave painting in France that appeared to depict a man wearing a cover over his penis while having intercourse with a woman. The earliest known record of a condom-like object dates back to around 3000 B.C.E. Greek mythology holds that Minos, King of Crete, produced deadly semen. To protect his sexual partners, Minos covered his penis with the bladder of a goat.
Penis coverings appear in many other historical accounts. Evidence from around 1000 B.C.E. showed the ancient Egyptians and ancient Romans used linen sheaths and animal intestines to protect themselves against disease. Early tribes of New Guinea constructed a female condom made from plants. The ancient Chinese created genital sheaths made from silk paper that were applied with oil.
The use of sheaths continued into the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Condoms were used primarily to protect against disease during this time. Around the seventeenth century, coverings met with disapproval from religious groups who were opposed to sexual promiscuity and birth control. The condom continued to see great usage into the eighteenth century, however. By this time, the word condom itself had entered popular language, although its etymology remains a subject of debate.
By the nineteenth century, the Industrial Revolution led to mass production of condoms. When American inventor Charles Goodyear developed the method of rubber vulcanization—a process that turned hard rubber into a highly flexible and durable material—condom manufacturing experienced a revolution. Goodyear's rubber became the staple material of condom manufacturers before the introduction of the more durable latex in the twentieth century. Its widespread usage called for government regulation to ensure the product's safety and quality.
The popularity of condoms soared over the next century. The item was the preferred form of birth control before the introduction of the birth control pill in the 1960s. Condoms stayed in demand for disease prevention; however, they remained an issue for anti–birth control groups. Condoms underwent a number of innovations over the years to improve their effectiveness and to ensure more pleasurable experiences for users. The global condom market was worth more than $15 billion by 2013, and researchers expected sales to grow to $19 billion by 2020.
Bibliography
Collier, Aine. The Humble Little Condom: A History. Prometheus Books, 2007.
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"The Hard Facts on Condoms." WebMD, www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/birth-control-condoms#1. Accessed 30 Sept. 2016.
Khan, Fahad, et al. "The Story of the Condom." Indian Journal of Urology, vol. 29, no. 2, 2013, p. 12–15.
"Male Condom Use." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/condomeffectiveness/male-condom-use.html. Accessed 30 Sept. 2016.
"U.S. Condom Market Poised to Surge from USD 1,275.98 Million in 2014 to USD 1,563.95 Million by 2020." GlobeNewswire, 12 Apr. 2016, www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2016/04/12/828034/0/en/U-S-Condom-Market-Poised-to-Surge-from-USD-1-275-98-Million-in-2014-to-USD-1-563-95-Million-by-2020-MarketResearchStore-Com.html. Accessed 30 Sept. 2016.