National Condom Week began on the campus of UC Berkeley, and has quickly grown in stature, now including educational events on college campuses, in high schools, family planning organizations, and health awareness groups, such as AIDS and STD organizations. Pharmacies have even gotten in on the action (pardon the pun).

The purpose of National Condom Week, coincidentally climaxing on February 14th this year (again, pardon the pun), is to use humour to help educate young adults about the perils and pitfalls of unprotected sex. Although the message is sometimes humorous, what condoms prevent is not--AIDS, venereal diseases, and unwanted pregnancy, to name a few.

The Scout’s motto of “Be Prepared” could aptly be applied to the use of condoms. (Note to guys: This does not include keeping a condom in your wallet in your back pocket for any number of years, then removing it, donning it, and expecting it to perform as advertised). Here are some other pearls of wisdom to keep in mind when using condoms:

Condoms should be put on as soon as an erection occurs, and before the penis comes in contact with any orifice

Correct application technique involves holding the tip of the condom, then unrolling it onto the penis, being sure to leave a small space at the end of the condom

Lubrication is vital to prevent groans (of despair, not ecstasy) when the condom breaks. Use only water-based lubricants, as oil-based lubricants may damage or weaken the condom

When withdrawing the penis, be sure to hold the condom on firmly at the base of the penis to prevent it from being “left behind” (which may defeat the purpose).

Ladies: female condoms are also available, and can be very effective when used consistently and correctly.

Use a fresh condom for each sexual act

Ever wondered where condoms came from, or who invented them? A little trivia:

Condoms have been around for centuries. As far back as 1564, Fallopius first described how to create condoms from linen sheaths to prevent the transmission of syphilis, which was a problem before the creation of antibiotics, having no cure and causing untold misery.

In the 18th century, protective sheaths were made from dried animal intestines.

The name “condom” is thought to have come from its inventor, Colonel Cundum.

Condoms have been used for alternate reasons than the one traditionally known. Some of these you may have heard, but some you may surprise you:

Creating waterproof microphones

The protection of rifle barrels from rust

A handy way to store soil samples by engineers when performing soil testing

When performing needle decompression of a collapsed lung in the field to form a one-way valve

Finally, condoms are continually being improved and refined. Currently in development in Canada are “invisible condoms”, composed of a gel that hardens as it warms up after insertion, and then liquefies after several hours. Perhaps even more intriguing is the “spray-on” condom of Germany, which dries in 5 seconds and has the advantage of conforming perfectly to any size.

Related Links:

Video: Making Condoms Comfortable from illumistream

Condoms at a Glance from Planned Parenthood

Quiz: The Condom Quiz from About.com