"Man at His Best: The Condom"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"Man at His Best: The Condom"

Esquire (12/90) Vol. 114, No. 6, P. 93
Berendt, John

Abstract: The 400-year history of the condom has largely been one of complaints of spoiled pleasure and little protection. Invented in the 16th century by Italian anatomist Gabriel Fallopius, the condom was a medicated linen sheath. In the 17th century, Dr. Condom, personal physician to England's Charles II, made a sheath from a sheep's intestine that bears his name today. Condoms were used to prevent venereal disease until the development of penicillin in the 1940s, and then primarily for birth control until invention of the pill in the '60s. Condom sales dwindled until the onset of HIV, when they again became critical to prevent disease and the market exploded with flavors, colors, larger condoms, and thinner brands. Today's condoms are more effective and stringently tested, but improper storage, handling, and usage by consumers brings the failure rate to 14 percent. Once the province of males, about half of all condoms are now bought by women, who may be able to get female condoms as early as next year.

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