On the eve of the new millennium, the condom industry is finally experiencing a renaissance. After decades of stagnation and centuries of experimentation, technology, and design innovation finally have converged to produce some sensational (pun intended) condoms. New shapes, materials and designs are arousing interest across the world, and for good reason - several new condoms mean that safer sex really can be pleasurable sex.

The new arrivals are long overdue. For hundreds of years condoms were made from all sorts of stuff. The Chinese made condoms out of oiled silk paper, Europeans used fish bladders, and Egyptians used papyrus soaked in water. Through most of the 18th and 19th centuries, lamb intestines were the preferred condom material. Legend even has it that Casanova was a big fan of natural lambskins. While baby boomers may know condoms as "rubbers," it wasn't until 1843, when Goodyear vulcanized rubber, that the latex condom was born.

Throughout the technological revolution, Americans invented televisions, built computers and sent men to the moon, but the American condom industry stood still. That finally began to change about 10 years ago, prompted by the threat of serious competition from the Japanese. In the early '90s, a few sensuous Japanese ultra-thin condoms, like Kimono MicroThin and Crown arrived in America and turned the condom market on its head. These sexy imports were substantially thinner than their American counterparts, and thus far more popular with consumers who (shockingly) wanted sensation and sensitivity while having sex.

The U.S. condom market responded to the Japanese with condoms that promised safety and performance. In 1997, LifeStyles introduced the LifeStyles Xtra Pleasure featuring a domelike top to increase sensation. Trojan even caught on and introduced its "pleasure" condom, Ultra Pleasure in 1998. Only in the last year, however, has the true Condom Promised Land appeared to emerge. Three revolutionary new condoms are leading the way, and changing forever the condom industry.

The return of the long-missed Pleasure Plus has generated amazing excitement. The Pleasure Plus was originally introduced in 1993 by an ingenious Indian physician by the name of Dr. A.V.K. Reddy, whom the New York Times called the "Leonardo da Vinci" of condoms. After many years of study and analysis, Reddy designed the first condom that would emphasize sensation and pleasure, based on the neuro-anatomy of the penis. Simply put, Reddy created a condom that was looser-fitting in the exact area of the penis where most of the nerve endings are located. The loose fit at the tip of the condom allowed the nerve endings to remain at their most sensitive, while the friction caused by the extra moving latex produced additional sensation. The Pleasure Plus quickly became a big hit.

Unfortunately, due to some financial troubles, the Pleasure Plus disappeared in 1995. For years people awaited its return, and that much-hoped-for day has produced a tremendous response. A new company has obtained the original patents and has started to make this prophylactic gem once more. Condomania has already received thousands of orders for the Pleasure Plus.

Meanwhile, Reddy went back to the drawing board to design a condom that he believed would rival his original creation. After another four years of development, the inSpiral arrived this year to rave reviews. Like the Pleasure Plus, the inSpiral features a looser fit to enhance sensation -- this time in the form of bulging pouches that appear to twist their way to the top of the condom. Reddy believes that this new design adds an additional dynamic element that further enhances sensation, and the thousands of Condomania customers -- especially women -- who've already ordered the inSpirals definitely seem to agree.

Picking up where the Avanti left off, Trojan has joined the polyurethane game with its introduction of the Supra this month. Back in 1995, Durex introduced the world's first polyurethane condom for men, Avanti. Avanti went on to consistently rank among the world's most popular brands, especially for those who are allergic to latex. Polyurethane possesses some unique benefits: it is heat conductive (warming to body temperature), has no taste or odor, and, unlike latex, can be used safely with oil-based lubricants.

Like the Avanti, the new Supra boasts all the unique qualities and advantages of polyurethane. Unlike the Avanti, however, Supra is a bit softer and more comfortable. Most incredibly, Supra's Microsheer polyurethane is super clear -- the world's first invisible condom!

The Pleasure Plus, inSpiral and Supra condoms have generated increased excitement in an industry that needs it. Safer sex has never looked -- or felt -- better! Look for the condoms mentioned here at your local drugstore or contact Condomania at 1.800.9CONDOM.

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