Empty carton of 'Midnight' condoms, 1991-2000

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.

The invention of latex in 1920 made it possible to mass-produce stronger, thinner and more affordable condoms that could be used once and then disposed of. Previously, condoms were cleaned and reused multiple times.