NYC-Feature Story

You’re Doing What With That Fish Bladder?
A visit to the Museum of Sex's exhibit "Rubbers: The Life History, and
Struggle of the Condom"

By DeAnna Lyles

Have you ever seen a glass penis night light? Would you like one? Well, now you can have your very own personal penis that glows in the dark. Each penis is sold separately, with a tin bucket to store it in. You can get one at the gift shop in the Museum of Sex, which is in Manhattan, located at 233 Fifth Avenue near 27th Street. The Museum of Sex explores the history of sex, from blow-up dolls and sex on TV to the sex lives of animals. (You must be 18 or older to enter.)

Although it was hard to pull myself away from the gift shop—it was full of all sorts of other crazy stuff in addition to the night lights—I wasn’t there to buy things. I was there to see the exhibit, “Rubbers: The Life, History, and Struggle of the Condom,” which we thought could be educational for the devoted readers of this column.

Protecting Us Since the 1500s

In fact, the “Rubbers” exhibit was both informative and weird. The first thing I learned was that condoms were invented in the 1500s; they were made from animal intestines, fish bladders, and other strange materials. Back then, people started using condoms to protect themselves from syphilis, a potentially deadly sexually transmitted disease that can damage a person’s liver, nerves, joints, and even brain. They had pictures of people with syphilis—dark spots covered their entire bodies.

Another display showed how condom packaging has changed over the years. Once, they were sold in what looked like small peppermint tins and mini milk cartons. Over time, both the packaging and the actual condoms changed a lot. Now, instead of animal intestines, condoms are made with latex, a type of rubber. Latex is durable and more effective than the other materials.

In the 1500s condoms were just getting the limelight because of syphilis, but now they are getting more shine because of HIV/AIDS. The disease became widespread in the 1980s and it’s still spreading quickly. Unfortunately, even though condoms can save a person’s life, they have been very controversial.

Condom companies weren’t allowed to advertise on TV until 1991, and some networks still won’t air condom commercials. One reason they’re controversial is because they can prevent pregnancy in addition to stopping the spread of disease. Because of that, some people worry that condoms give people—especially women—a free pass to have sex outside of marriage.

‘Pretty’ Disgusting

I was surprised when I came across the artwork section of the exhibit. There was an amazingly beautiful purple dress that was made out of nothing but condoms. The artist, Adriana Bertini, dyed the condoms, dried them out, and sewed them together. I had no idea it was made of condoms until I really inspected it. Even though it was pretty, I also thought it was disgusting because, well, it’s a dress made of condoms.

Artist Randy Polumbo made “Manifest,” a piece of art designed to show the magnificence of the condom and, symbolically, the penis. The condom was blown up to look like a mini blimp; it also included three solar cells, three Press-On nails as propellers, and electronics. This one made me laugh, and so did a list of slang names for condoms that was posted on the wall.

Overall, I thought the condom exhibit was great. I left the museum with a lot more information than when I walked in. I told my friends that we should take a trip there together to explore the entire museum.

For more information, go to museumofsex.com. “Rubbers: The Life, History, and Struggle of the Condom” is on view until mid-July. You must be 18 or older to enter the museum. Admission is $16.25 plus tax, or $15 plus tax for students with a valid ID.

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