The humble condom can be traced back to at least 1000 B.C. and traces a long journey through tortoise shells and animals intestines to reach the pliable material we associate with it today.

Ancient Egyptians used a linen sheath as a protection against diseases around 3,000 years ago. But the condom wasn't seen in Europe until over millennium later with evidence from scenes in cave paintings at Combarelles in France and further suggestions that some form of condom was used in imperial Rome.

THE MIDDLE AGES

By the Middle Ages there was a severe syphilis epidemic which spread across Europe and the aptly named Gabrielle Fallopius claimed to have invented a linen sheath which protected against the disease. Other popular materials used to make condoms included tortoise shell, leather, oiled paper and fish bladders.

By the end of the 1500s, the first known spermicide was used when the sheath was dipped in a chemical solution and allowed to dry before use.

In 1706, the word "condum" was used for the first time in a poem as the device started to become more widely recognised.

It has also been suggested that Condom was a doctor in the time of King Charles II who invented the sheath to help the king to prevent the birth of more illegitimate children. And it was around this time that the condom was used to prevent pregnancy as well as guard against the risk of disease. But the condom was made popular by the King and spread throughout his courts and beyond. There are reports that even the infamous Casanova was using condoms as a birth control.

The design of the condom was developed further when animal intestines were used rather than linen. But they were much more expensive and despite the slogan "an armour against pleasure, and a cobweb against infection", they were often reused which contradicted their initial purpose of helping to avoid infections.

As they became more popular, handmade condoms developed a new and quickly flourishing business, particularly in London, England. Advertising in the form of leaflets also became an important part of the condom business for the first time.

1800s

Condom manufacture was revolutionised in the 19th century thanks to the discovery of rubber vulcanisation by Charles Goodyear (who founded the tyre company) and Thomas Hancock, The impact of this method, which transformed the rubber into a strong elastic material, meant that it was possible to manufacture rubber products, including condoms, both quickly

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