Best Fair-Trade & Eco-Friendly Condoms

In Greek mythology, “scorpions and serpents” contaminated King Minos’ semen. To protect his wife and partners, the king used a goat bladder condom. Historians debate whether the bladder was inserted into the vagina of his partners or covered his penis. (11)

The Ancient Egyptians used linen sheaths to protect against bilharzias, a “tropical disease”. (11)

The Ancient Japanese used Kabuta-Gata, a thin sheath made from tortoise shell or leather. These sleeves could cover the entire penis or just the glans (head). (11)

In China, oiled silk paper was the preferred barrier method. (15)

Ancient Romans documented disease prevention capabilities for linen and animal derived condoms. (11)

Intestine and bladders were a popular material for penis sheaths. And the Djukas tribe of New Guinea developed a vaginal sheath made from “a plant”. We don’t know what plant was used. But the sheath is described as “six inches long, and chalice shaped” that was inserted into the vagina. (11)

From the 15^th to 18^th century, medical knowable expanded. More medical professionals linked condom use to disease/infection prevention. But some religious and political figures condemned condoms for preventing pregnancy. (11, 12)

Attempts to outlaw condom use pop-up throughout history. (11, 12)

Condoms vs. lawmakers. Rinse, lather, repeat. For centuries.

Still, disease/infection prevention made condoms appealing, even if that also meant preventing pregnancy. Especially in times of war. King Charles I issued animal intestine condoms for his troops to reduce syphilis in the 1600s. (11)

Up until the 19^th century, typically only affluent people could afford condoms. Condoms from intestine or linen were expensive. But during the Industrial Revolution, vulcanized rubber and factory automation revolutionized the industry. Rubber condoms were cheap, durable, reusable, and machine made. (11, 12)

Despite the ease of production, this barrier method faced legal barriers.

The Comstock laws in America, Indecent Advertisements Acts in Ireland, and 1917 VD act in Great Britain all attempted to restrict condom use. Germany, in contrast, became the top manufacturer of condoms. Through workarounds in various laws, Germany exported condoms worldwide. (12)

During WWI, American and English troops were not issued condoms. But German troops were. The result? American and English troops had higher cases of syphilis and gonorrhea. (11)