Long before it became a punchline in bedrooms and memes, Durex began as the London Rubber Company in 1915, serving a world that barely spoke openly about sex. By 1929, the Durex trademark was secured, quietly preparing to reshape how protection, intimacy, and responsibility would be sold to the public. As the brand expanded globally in the 1950s, it pushed industry boundaries with anatomically shaped condoms, electronic testing, and bold international advertising that challenged cultural taboos.

The mystery of its name fueled myths for decades, with many assuming it cheekily meant “during sex.” The reality is far more revealing about the company’s core identity. According to the BBC, “Durex” stands for Durability, Reliability, and Excellence — a cold, almost industrial promise behind an intimate product. Every condom is electronically and dermatologically tested, turning a three-syllable word into a century-old vow of safety and trust that still shapes how millions experience intimacy today.