As detailed in the Museum of Sex exhibit
The condom shape has become iconic. Pop artist Julian Murphy has incorporated condoms into several of his pieces.
Courtesy of Julian Murphy
Used condoms have also found their way into many pieces of art, like this one by photographer Graeme Mitchell.
Courtesy of Graeme Mitchell
TLC's Left-Eye Lopez made accessorizing with condoms fashionable in the early 100s, when she wore won as an eye patch. Today, Adriana Bertini’s cocktail dress, modeled on a sixties-era Valentino dresses, is made from 1,200 hand-dyed condoms.
Museum of Sex Collection
Ah, the good old days, when you could buy a cup of coffee, a slice of pie, a condom, and still get change back for a dollar.
Museum of Sex Collection
As part of a 2007 German safe-sex ad campaign, photographer Oliver Lassen produced a controversial series of images equating unprotected sex with death. Germany is one of several countries to try the shock-and-awe approach to promoting safe sex.
Courtesy of the Michael Stich Organization
Long before the days of “family planning” aisles, pharmacies kept their condoms discreetly concealed. This wooden cabinet held Sheik brand condoms in 1930s New York pharmacy.
Museum of Sex Collection
Julian Murphy combines contraception and kitchenware for the sake of a pun.
Courtesy of Julian Murphy
Until his death from AIDS-related complications at age 31, gay New York artist Keith Haring became a prominent activist for condom use and safe sex.
Courtesy of Keith Haring Foundation
The final panel in Masami Teraoka’s 2008 AIDS series depicts a Western man slowly loosening his grip on the giant condom being held up by his Japanese lover as he ogles a sickly blonde.
Courtesy of the Catherine Clark Gallery
Made from polyurethane, which is less pliable than latex, the female condom could be uncomfortable and resulted in a less-than-intimate sexual experience. Users complained of a "crinkling" or "squeaking" noise—not to mention a tendency for the condom to slip out if not inserted properly.
AP Photo
Approved by the FDA last year, the FC2 is made of nitrile, and the crinkling and squeaking have been nearly silenced. It costs 30 percent less than its predecessor.
Noah Seelam, AFP / Getty Images
