Object Details
- Description
- Charles Goodyear is often credited with developing vulcanization, the process which hardens and molds rubber. While Goodyear became best known for its tires, the company also produced condoms duringt the late nineteenth century and into the twentieth century.
- These Chariot condoms were manufactured and distributed by the Goodwear Rubber Company Inc. of New York, New York during the middle of the 20th century. The blue and red box cardboard box features a central image of a charioteer driving a troika in a coliseum. The box contained three “Chariots” brand condoms.
- To underscore the idea that virile men used condoms, packages and advertising commonly used images of men engaging in sports or war. Many brand names also referenced classical Greece and Rome.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- maker
- Goodwear Rubber Co., Inc.
- date made
- ca 1930s-1940s
- Measurements
- overall: 1 in x 4 in x 3 1/2 in; 2.54 cm x 10.16 cm x 8.89 cm
- Object Name
- Condoms
- contraceptive, condom
