000 BC
King Minosof Crete used a fish bladder to protect himself from the risks of sexual pleasure.


000 BC
Ancient Egyptians used a linen sheath for protection against

00 -200 AD
Earliest evidence of condom use in Europe is from cave paintingsin Combarelles, France.

1500´s
First known published description and trials regarding prophylactic condom use was recorded in Italy. Gabrielle Fallopiusconducted condom trials with1,100 men, none of whom became infected with Syphilis. This discovery led to condoms being used for pregnancyprevention.In the late 1500s the first spermicideon a condom was used. The linen sheath was soaked in a chemical solution and then dried prior to use.

700´s
New condoms made of animal intestines are sold. However, these condoms were quite expensive leading to the reuse of the condom. The condom was described as “an armor against pleasure” and “a cobweb against infection.”

844
Goodyear and Hancock began to mass produce condoms made out of vulcanized rubber. Vulcanization is a process which turns crude rubber intoa strong elastic material.

861
The first advertisement for condoms was published in The New York Times for “Dr. Power´s French Preventatives.”

873
The Comstock Law, named after Anthony Comstock, was passed making the advertising of birth control illegal. Additionally, the postal service was able to confiscate condoms sold in the mail.

880´s
The first latex condom was produced.

930′s
Latex condoms were now in widespread use. In the United States 1.5 million condoms were being produced each day.

980´s
A Japanese brand, Kimono, entered the market with a thinner and well lubricated condom. The advertisements emphasized pleasure as well as protection.

990´s
The first polyurethane condom became available along with a large assortment of different condom variants.