History Of The First Condom Made From A Goat's Bladder

Suharto visits condom factories (Source: Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection)

JAKARTA - The idea of safe sex has been rolling since the era of Ancient Greece. In that era, condom contraception was also used as an antidote to venereal disease. The first recorded condom known to be made from goat's bladder.

The history of "condoms" was first recorded in the ancient manuscript of the Illiad by Homer in 3000 BC which tells the history of King Minos while ruling Knossos. He is a historical figure from the Bronze Age.

Minos, the father of the Minotaur is said to have "snakes and scorpions" in his semen. It is said that one of his mistresses died after having sex with him.

Therefore, to protect himself and his partner including his wife Pasiphae, they use a goat bladder that is inserted into a woman's vagina which protects women from disease. However, these findings are still considered controversial. The reason is that there is another argument which says that the bladder was actually used by Minos himself, not by his wife.

Then according to Khan et al in their journal entitled "The Story of Condom" (2013), a more convincing history of condoms was recorded in the era of Ancient Egypt in 1000. At that time, evidence was found that the Egyptians used linen as protection during intercourse, especially to prevent tropical diseases such as bilharzia. Furthermore, in Egypt, the special sarong for the male genitalia also signifies a social strata distinguished by its color.

Then we move on to the ancient Roman civilization which influenced modern civilization a lot. The Romans turned out to be similar to the Greeks, namely using animal limbs such as the bladder or intestines of goats to make genital protection devices.

Meanwhile, turning to the Asian region, in the history of Chinese civilization, they made the penis sheath from silk. The Chia people lubricate the sarong with oil.

The first condom term

The term condom for male genital sheath became popular only in the 18th century. An Italian adventurer Giacomo Casanova in his memoir entitled "Histoire de mavie" said that at that time many brothels had sold them to their customers before dealing with prostitutes.

At first Casanova was not open to the idea of condoms, which she called "dead animal skins." However, after he realized the dangers of venereal disease, he inevitably had to use it.

Condoms began to be sold wholesale at the end of the century. The business became famous and began to flourish in London.

Condoms are increasingly becoming a promising commodity after American inventor Charles Goodyear invented the rubber retreading technique during the industrial revolution. This technology makes it possible to make materials that are softer, more durable and elastic with a higher tensile strength.

So in 1860, condoms began mass production. That's when people started getting cheap condoms. This discovery made the use of condoms made of the intestine or bladder began to shift to rubber condoms in the late 19th century.

New discoveries make condoms continue to evolve and be made even more comfortable and safe. It was only in 1920 that condoms were made from latex as they are widely circulating in the market today.