Contraception

A Complex Issue

Historical Notes: The Condom

Gabriele Fallopio (1523-1562)

The invention of the condom is often credited to the Italian anatomist Gabriele Fallopio who also discovered the oviducts named after him (Fallopian tubes). However, the device described in his posthumous book on "The French Disease" (Syphilis) consisted of a small linen sheath covering only the glans of the penis, and it was meant to prevent infection. There also have been reports of condom-like devices used in ancient times, but such claims stand on rather shaky ground.
Some writers have credited the invention to a legendary 17thcentury English physician Dr. Condom, Condum or Conton, but no such person has ever been documented. In the 18th century, linen condoms had a limited distribution, and, over time, condoms made from sheep gut became available. With the improving manufacture of vulcanized rubber in the second half of the 19th century, latex condoms began to reach a mass market. However, their distribution was hindered by objections from various religious and political quarters, because preventing pregnancies and infections increased sexual freedom and thus supposedly furthered "immorality". Seamless condoms were developed in the early 20th century and sold discretely in drug stores and barber shops. However, their quality and thus their effectiveness remained poor.
Today, thanks to official quality control, safe and efficient condoms are easily available in many countries, often from vending machines. They are used not only for contraception, but once again, just as in Fallopio's time, mainly for the prevention of infection with sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. Indeed, for this reason many governments now actively promote the use of condoms, using the mass media to call attention to them.

The German ministry of health supported this ad encouraging condom use. The text at the bottom reads in English translation: Don't give AIDS a chance! Do it with (a condom)!