Accurate information, how and when the first condoms appeared, does not exist. However, it is known for certain that the history of its origin is rooted in ancient times. The history of the contraceptive will be described later.
Legend of King Minos
So when did they invent a condom? The first information about it has been available since Antiquity. So, for example, there is a story about King Minos, who ruled Ancient Crete. Legend has it that King Minos was very fond of women and had a large number of mistresses and favorites. But his wife, Pasiphae, could not endure his love of love and found a way out in witchcraft. She cursed the king. Since then, it was believed that Minos sperm contains poisonous creatures that are capable of destroying his mistresses during intercourse. This news spread quickly around the island, and the number of people willing to share a bed with the king fell sharply. The court doctor was given the task to urgently find a means to solve this problem.
But a way out was found by one of the girls, who, having placed a sheep’s bladder in her vagina, prevented the king’s seed from entering her body. And thanks to this, she remained alive. In the future, this method has repeatedly saved King Minos and his mistresses. So the first female condom was created.
History of condom inventions in ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, they also thought about contraception. The fact is that the presence of a large number of offspring among the pharaohs was not welcomed. In the future, this could lead to bloody wars for power. But it was believed that the responsibility for protection should be borne by a woman who saw a way out in anal sex or interrupted intercourse.
However, the available information in history also indicates the existence of a condom in ancient Egypt. So, on the preserved wall images of the time of the pharaoh Tutankhamun, the penis of men are placed in bags that are tied with laces at the base. These products, although similar to the first condoms, were used for ritual purposes. So men guarded their masculinity and fertility from the evil eye and dark forces. The bags were made of soft fabrics. And the pharaoh and representatives of the upper classes outside the bag was decorated with precious stones.
Also, some historians believe that the Egyptians of the lower classes used their robe as contraception. Men wore short loincloths that barely covered the genitals. And during sexual intercourse, they wound a bandage around the head of the penis and prevented the seed from entering the woman's body.
Information about the first condoms in ancient Rome
Ancient Rome is famous for a completely different condom story. The state has always been famous for its achievements in science. It was in this country that scientists first talked about sexually transmitted diseases. The best minds have been looking for means to prevent the disease. As a solution to the problem, the first condoms were made, which were made from the intestines of cattle. To begin with, the intestines were thoroughly dried, and then impregnated with a special solution to soften the texture.
Special preparation for sexual diseases was carried out in the ranks of legionnaires. During the military campaign, the responsibility for the safe sexual life of soldiers was borne personally by the commanders who monitored and replenished condom supplies. If, during the campaign, the number of prophylactic drugs decreased, then the internal organs of the enemies were used to make condoms.
The rejection of condoms during the emergence of Christianity
The story about condoms tells that there is no information about their use after the decline of Rome and up to the 15th century. Historians attribute this to the spread of Christianity and the influence of the church on public opinion.
Using contraception was considered a great sin, and believers, fearing God's wrath and punishment from above, refused to use them. All this led to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, which claimed tens of thousands of lives annually.
But in the records of Muslim and Jewish peoples of this time there is information that they used onion juice as contraception, in which men dipped their genitals.
Aboriginal Revenge
The condom history tells that the first information about them in the Middle Ages is associated with the name of the traveler Christopher Columbus. Returning to their native lands after the discovery of America, members of the Columbus expedition brought with them a terrible sexually transmitted disease - syphilis. This disease quickly spread not only throughout Europe, but also reached the islands of Japan. And among the people the disease was marked by "revenge of the natives."
It was then that the question arose of finding a remedy that could save from syphilis, and also prevent its further spread.
Renaissance Condom
By the end of the 15th century, the whole world was mired in syphilis. The disease claimed hundreds of lives per day in Europe and Asia. The best scientists were looking for a way out of this situation.
At this time, the Italian doctor Gabriel Fallopius offers the use of special bags as an outlet. In his works of 1564, he describes the device he created, which men need to put on the head of the penis and tie them with laces. This will help men protect their dignity from sexually transmitted diseases.
Whether the bags of Gabriel Fallopius helped in the fight against syphilis, history is silent. However, the very idea of ​​placing the penis in a special "store" became the main one when creating a condom.
Count Condom's role in condom production
The widespread use of a condom as a remedy for an unwanted pregnancy is associated with the name of the English doctor Condom. It is known that in the XVII century the ruler of England, King Charles XVII, was unhappy with the large number of his heirs to the throne. He was looking for ways to continue an active sex life without consequences. And then a personal doctor, Earl Condom, came to the rescue, who, having studied the already available information, created caps for male members from sheep’s intestines. The caps so took root in the aristocratic milieu that Dr. Condom let them into serial production.
The notoriety of condoms
Despite the fact that the condom was designed to solve important problems, the reputation of the prophylactic agent wanted to leave the best. This is due to the events of 1712, when during the conference in Utrechtevo, diplomats and many beautiful women were at court. Since the conference itself is a boring event, the guests and court nobles looked for ways to have fun. The way out was found in sexual comforts and orgies. And in order to avoid undesirable consequences, resorted to the use of "French letters", which at that time were widely used by prostitutes and courtesans from elite brothels.
The use of a condom was considered a sign of licentiousness and the sinful fall of man, and also testified to the lack of moral and family values. In Venice, for example, condom distribution was strictly prohibited. It was believed that in this way men would persuade innocent girls to have sex without obligations and consequences.
The first rubber condoms appeared only in the middle of the XIX century. They cost a lot of money and were reusable. And each time after use, the condom had to be thoroughly washed and dipped in a special solution.
And only after they learned how to get rubber, did a condom become a more affordable and reliable means of protection.
List of Interesting Condom Facts
- A condom is also called a condom. Some believe that it went on behalf of the doctor Count Condom, who introduced it into widespread use. However, according to other researchers, the word "condom" is translated as "storage", which served as the second name.
- The oldest condom in history was found during excavations in one of the castles of London. Now he is in the London Museum. The British themselves argue that the creators of the condom are French, and the word "condom" comes from the name of the French city, where this tool originates from.
- In different countries, a condom has its affectionate nickname. So, in Italy it is called the "glove", in South Africa - "French letter", in France - "English hood", in England - "Parisian".
- Condoms are widely used by fashion designers in their work. So, for example, Adriana Bertini, a famous Brazilian designer, creates dresses from condoms for her collections.
- Condoms saved one woman’s life. During a cruise in the Caribbean, the lady went too far with alcohol and fell overboard the ship. However, the constructed raft of contraceptives that were in her pocket allowed her to stay afloat for several days. Found a woe-traveler only after 3 days.
- On World AIDS Day, more than one action does not pass without this preventive measure. This year, a special condom was created, the length of which was 67 meters. It was put on the highest tower, a symbol of the city of Buenos Aires.
- The condom and drug dealers found use, which stuff it with illegal drugs, and then swallow it and transport it across the border.
- The former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, was abandoned during a rally by dissatisfied fathers with condoms that were filled with ink and flour. During the flight, many funds were torn and painted the prime minister blue. It is noteworthy that after this incident, society started talking about poor-quality condom production.
- During military exercises in the desert, American soldiers use condoms to protect machine guns from sand, pulling them on the barrel of a gun.