The Condom Promised Land
Just a few years ago, American condom
manufacturers were trying to sell condoms like parachutes: You wouldn't
jump out of a plane without one, would you? (Trojan
print ad, circa 1996) Only recently have condom manufacturers begun to
realize a key fact that had been previously overlooked: Condoms are about
sex and sex is supposed to feel good.
On the eve of the new millennium,
the condom industry is finally experiencing a renaissance. After decades
of stagnation and centuries of experimentation, technology, and design
innovation finally have converged to produce some sensational (pun intended)
condoms. New shapes, materials and designs are arousing interest across
the world, and for good reason — several new condoms mean that safer sex
really can be pleasurable sex.
The new arrivals are long overdue.
For hundreds of years condoms were made from all sorts of stuff. The Chinese
made condoms out of oiled silk paper, Europeans used fish bladders, and
Egyptians used papyrus soaked in water. Through most of the 18th and 19th
centuries, lamb intestines were the preferred condom material. Legend even
has it that Casanova was a big fan of natural lambskins. While baby boomers
may know condoms as "rubbers," it wasn't until 1843, when Goodyear vulcanized
rubber, that the latex condom was born.
Throughout the technological revolution,
Americans invented televisions, built computers and sent men to the moon,
but the American condom industry stood still. That finally began to change
about 10 years ago, prompted by the threat of serious competition from
the Japanese. In the early '90s, a few sensuous Japanese ultra-thin condoms,
like Kimono
MicroThin and Crown
arrived in America and turned the condom market on its head. These sexy
imports were substantially thinner than their American counterparts, and
thus far more popular with consumers who (shockingly) wanted sensation
and sensitivity while having sex.
The U.S. condom market responded
to the Japanese with condoms that promised safety and performance. In 1997,
LifeStyles introduced the LifeStyles
Xtra Pleasure featuring a domelike top to increase sensation. Trojan
even caught on and introduced its "pleasure" condom, Ultra
Pleasure in 1998. Only in the last few years, however, has the true
Condom Promised Land appeared to emerge. Three revolutionary new condoms
are leading the way, and changing forever the condom industry.
The return of the long-missed Pleasure
Plus has generated amazing excitement. The Pleasure Plus was originally
introduced in 1993 by an ingenious Indian physician by the name of Dr.
A.V.K. Reddy, whom the New York Times called the "Leonardo da Vinci" of
condoms. After many years of study and analysis, Reddy designed the first
condom that would emphasize sensation and pleasure, based on the neuro-anatomy
of the penis. Simply put, Reddy created a condom that was looser-fitting
in the exact area of the penis where most of the nerve endings are located.
The loose fit at the tip of the condom allowed the nerve endings to remain
at their most sensitive, while the friction caused by the extra moving
latex produced additional sensation. The Pleasure Plus quickly became a
big hit.
Unfortunately, due to some financial
troubles, the Pleasure Plus disappeared in 1995. For years people awaited
its return, and that much-hoped-for day has produced a tremendous response.
A new company has obtained the original patents and has started to make
this prophylactic gem once more. Condomania has already received thousands
of orders for the Pleasure
Plus.
Meanwhile, Reddy went back to the
drawing board to design a condom that he believed would rival his original
creation. After another four years of development, the inSpiral arrived
this year to rave reviews. Like the Pleasure Plus, the inSpiral features
a looser fit to enhance sensation — this time in the form of bulging pouches
that appear to twist their way to the top of the condom. Reddy believes
that this new design adds an additional dynamic element that further enhances
sensation, and the thousands of Condomania customers — especially women
— who've already ordered the inSpirals definitely seem to agree.
Picking up where the Avanti
left off, Trojan has joined the polyurethane game with its introduction
of the Supra this month. Back in 1995, Durex introduced the world's first
polyurethane condom for men, Avanti. Avanti went on to consistently rank
among the world's most popular brands, especially for those who are allergic
to latex. Polyurethane possesses some unique benefits: it is heat conductive
(warming to body temperature), has no taste or odor, and, unlike latex,
can be used safely with oil-based lubricants.
Like the Avanti, the new Supra
boasts all the unique qualities and advantages of polyurethane. Unlike
the Avanti, however, Supra is a bit softer and more comfortable. Most incredibly,
Supra's Microsheer polyurethane is super clear — the world's first invisible
condom!
The Pleasure Plus, Inspiral and Supra
condoms have generated increased excitement in an industry that needs it.
Safer sex has never looked — or felt — better! Look for the condoms mentioned
here at your local drugstore or contact Condomania
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