-
The earliest known visual evidence of their use from cave paintings.
-
-
Italian doctor, Gabrielle Fallopius, suggested that linen sheath condoms could be used to protect against syphilis, a deadly epidemic at that point in history.
-
The lambskin condom possible originated at this time after reports say farmers in Condom, France began using sheep guts as condoms.
-
Legend had it that the name "condom" was coined when Charles II was given oiled sheep intestines to use as condoms by a Dr. Condom.
-
Rubber is introduced as an element of condoms.
-
The introduction of latex. Condoms are cheap and disposable. Condoms were mass-produced by WW2.
-
The latex condom is improved by making them thinner, tighter and lubricated. The reservoir tip is introduced that collects semen in the end, decreasing the risk of leakage and unintentional pregnancy.
-
Experts agree that condoms are the best way outside of abstinence to avoid HIV. The emergence of HIV as a sexually transmitted disease takes condoms into the mainstream.
-
Sales reach nine billion worldwide. Experts have found the spermicides that kill sperm to prevent pregnancy also increase the risk of HIV; they agree that condoms with spermicides should never be used. Also, with the emergence of latex allergies, condoms are now available made of polyurethane for those people with latex allergies.