The history of condoms is longer than you may think, dating back to 3000 BCE! While you may have a detailed image of what a condom looks like in your head, the original condoms were much different. From goat’s bladder and turtle shells to latex and polyisoprene, the evolution of condoms has been a long and interesting one. In this blog, we will share the 5 major breakthroughs in condom technology that got them to where they are today. And if you stick around until the end, we’ll share one of the most exciting developments in recent condom history!
Key Takeaways (TL;DR) History of the Condom
- Condoms date back to 3000 BCE, first used as an internal barrier method made from a goat’s bladder.
- This theme followed for centuries, with animal intestines and animal skin being a popular material for condoms and barrier methods.
- Eventually the rubber vulcanization process allowed for a new type of condom that was more affordable and accessible to the working class.
- After the discovery of latex, condoms became more flexible, comfortable, and easier to produce and purchase.
- Since then, organizations have created condoms with more materials like polyisoprene, polyurethane, nitrile, and even the “wonder material” graphene.
When Were Condoms Invented?
Condoms have a rich history through story-telling and Greek mythology, and the first ever mention of a condom-like device was around 3000 BCE. King Minos of Crete was believed to have “serpents and snakes” in his semen which killed the people he had sex with. So, to protect himself and his partners, it is said that he would insert a goat’s bladder into the vagina before penetration, to act as a barrier method. Pretty cool that condom history goes back that far, right? And, this certainly isn’t the last mention of animal intestines and membranes being used as contraception, so read on to discover the condom innovations throughout history.
5 Major Condom Innovations Throughout History:
Animal Membranes: Lambskin Condoms and Tortoise Shells
In addition to goat’s bladder, animal intestines and skin were used as barrier methods throughout history. Ancient Romans are known to have used condoms made from lamb intestines to protect against sexually transmitted infections, predominantly syphilis at the time. Condoms and barrier methods made from lamb intestines, goat’s bladder, and even fish skin continued for centuries. In Japan, there were other barrier methods created with animal products, like tortoise shells, horns, and leather.
While most of these methods are no longer used, lambskin condoms have stuck around. They don’t look the same, of course, and they don’t prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Lambskin condoms are porous, allowing bodily fluids to pass between partners putting both parties at risk of STI transmission; however, some cells (like sperm cells) are too big to pass through the pores, making lambskin condoms effective for pregnancy prevention only!
Rubber Vulcanization: The Birth of "Rubbers"
The Industrial Revolution brought about rubber vulcanization - a process that combines natural rubber with sulfur to create a flexible, malleable material. The early rubber condoms were quite different from condoms that you see today. At approximately 2mm thick, they were roughly the thickness of a bicycle inner tube and featured a seam running down the side where the sheets of rubber were joined. Due to their durability, these early “rubbers” were also intended to be reusable. By the 1860s, the Industrial Revolution’s factory systems allowed for the first mass production of condoms. The increased affordability of rubber condoms made them more accessible to low-income individuals. However, formal education remained scarce due to the Comstock Act of 1873, which classified condoms and sexual health information as "obscene" materials, effectively criminalizing their distribution and forcing the trade into a legal grey market.
Latex Condoms: Today's Most Common Condom
The invention of liquid latex in the 1920s replaced the older rubber method, allowing for the creation of latex condoms that were much thinner, stronger, and more shelf-stable. In comparison to the vulcanized rubber condoms, latex condoms are incredibly stretchy and flexible, allowing for more comfort and protection.
The 1980s marked a turning point for condom accessibility; the AIDS crisis shifted public perception, transforming them from a private contraceptive into a vital tool for public health and STI prevention.
Fun fact: The ‘80s is also when our parent company, Global Protection Corp.®, was established! Davin Wedel, founder and CEO of Global Protection, says: “In the late 80s I was a student at Tufts University in Boston, and the country was at the height of the AIDS crisis. When Surgeon General C. Everett Koop publicly endorsed condom use as a method to stop the spread of HIV, I was inspired to give condoms the makeover they desperately needed.”
Non-Latex Condoms: Polyisoprene and Polyurethane
Some people have latex sensitivities, so thankfully in the mid-90s non-latex condoms made of polyurethane were made available, and within around 10 years polyisoprene condoms followed. In addition to these options, nitrile has become a popular latex alternative in recent years for condoms and other barrier methods, like internal condoms. This allows consumers to have more options that fit their sensitivities and preferences.
Polyisoprene is a synthetic version of natural rubber; it feels soft and stretchy. Polyurethane, on the other hand, is a type of thin plastic material. While polyurethane condoms have great body heat transfer, they are not very stretchy and can feel tight for some users. Nitrile condoms are newer to the external condom market. Nitrile is super thin and durable, has a great body heat transfer compared to latex condoms, and conforms to the shape of the user for additional comfort. All three options are great for people who have allergies or sensitivities to latex.
Non-latex condoms offer prevention against both unintended pregnancy and STIs, and are a highly effective option. Make sure that when you are selecting between latex and non-latex condom options that you consider compatibility with the other sexual health products you are using. For example, oil-based lubricants are not compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms as they can increase the risk of condom breakage.
While currently ONE® does not offer a non-latex option, stay on the lookout for future launches that we may be cooking up ;)
Next Generation Condoms: ONE® Flex® Graphene Condoms
One of the latest and most exciting advances in condom technology are graphene condoms. ONE® Flex® graphene condoms were launched in 2023, and have been loved by our customers ever since. Graphene is a space-age material used by NASA and is the thinnest, strongest and most conductive material in the world. Because of this, Flex® condoms are ultrathin, flexible, and allow body heat transfer in a way that latex alone cannot. The New York Times Wirecutter rated ONE Flex the #1 latex condom in 2025.
Latex condoms are made from natural rubber latex. On its own, latex is an insulator, which can limit the feeling of body heat transfer between you and your partner. Graphene is the most conductive material on the planet. Because ONE® Flex® enhances latex with graphene, the condom increases body heat transfer by 85% compared to standard latex condoms. The result is a more skin-to-skin, natural pleasure feel.
Another interesting fact about graphene condoms is their thinness. One common challenge consumers have about ultra-thin latex condoms is that they can feel tight – especially for those with a wider penis girth. Although thin latex condoms provide more sensation due to their thinness, there is now less of the latex material to stretch. When you combine latex with graphene, however, the ONE® Flex® condom can stretch farther without feeling tighter.
The Last Generation and Their Condoms: Our Founding Fathers
But we couldn’t just stop there! Condoms have become so much more than just a contraceptive tool in the past few decades. Condoms are now a symbol of sexual liberation, a reminder of the importance of self-care, self-love, and empathy for all. And for us, condoms have become a fashion statement, another accessory to express personality and charm. Whether it’s through the consumer-generated poetry we will soon feature on our Vanish wrappers, or our extensive collection of artistic round wrapper designs that so many of you love, here at ONE® we’re always looking for new and exciting ways to make condoms part of the conversation.
And 2026 will be no different! You may know that it’s the 250th anniversary of American Independence this year — that’s why, we’re offering our latest and greatest Next Generation ONE® Flex Condom with designs to honor the founding generation of our nation! That’s right, for a limited time ONE® Flex® condom tubes will feature the faces of American Revolutionaries. From George Washington to Phillis Wheatley, ONE® Flex® will feature the smiling faces of some of the original disruptors. These heroes understood a fundamental truth: to leave the world better than they found it, they had to BE REVOLUTIONARY! This limited series reminds us that the best way to celebrate our history is by taking care of our future.
From the early condoms using animal intestines to the latest in Next Generation Condoms, the journey of the condom has been long. Here at ONE® Condoms, we’ll continue to innovate and use technology to create products that feel and fit great. We’ll continue to spark condom conversations in interesting ways that make it easier for people to learn about, talk about, and practice safer sex.
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