Empty carton of 3 Durex 'Fetherlite' ultra fine lubricated condoms, with instruction leaflet, manufactured by SSL International plc, England, c2003 (expiry date May 2008)

Part of a small personal collection of condoms and packaging dating from around the 1990s, this product is an example of the increased use of condoms internationally following the emergence of HIV and AIDS. Previously marketed as contraception, condom products diversified as they began to be targeted at a wider range of people, which led to new flavours, textures, and colours.

Colloquially referred to as “packets of three” since the 1960s, condoms have had many different euphemisms over the decades including euphemisms such as skins, rubbers and gloves. Condoms today are still commonly sold in packets of three.