Many people still don’t fully understand what the Durex brand represents, even though it has been a dominant name in the condom market for decades. In fact, Durex has a long history spanning over 110 years. It originally started as the London Rubber Company in 1915, acquired the Durex trademark in 1929, and began establishing itself as a condom brand in the 1950s.
According to its detailed history, Durex has been responsible for several industry-first innovations. It introduced the first anatomically shaped rubber condoms, was the pioneer in using electronic testing for product quality, and was the first condom brand to expand internationally and advertise in most countries during the 1970s.
By the late 1990s, Durex had established a global reputation for quality, offering a range of products including flavored, multicolored, and latex-free condoms. In the 2000s, they introduced ribbed and dotted condoms as well as lubricants.
Many people don’t realize that the name “Durex” is actually an acronym, not the phrase “During ***” as some have assumed. According to the BBC, the name reflects the company’s core values: durability, reliability, and excellence.
This revelation surprised many around the world, with some admitting they had never thought about the meaning behind the unusual name. One person guessed it stood for “durable,” while others thought it referenced an ex-partner. Another discovered the true meaning while researching how brand names contribute to market value.
While some brand names have faded from public attention—like Corona during the COVID-19 pandemic—others have become part of everyday language, such as “Googling.” Interestingly, “Durex” is also more than just a brand name—it stands for Durability, Reliability, and Excellence, a fact that surprises many.
One social media user wrote, “Even Durex stands for durability, reliability, and excellence,” while another joked, “Who knew DUREX came from that? Call me a Durex-beast in bed then! Hahaha.”
According to British Heritage, the intellectual foundation of the company is credited to Lucian Landau, a Polish student of rubber technology. Although the Durex name was trademarked in 1929, it wasn’t until 1932 that the company began producing its own branded condoms.
Durex’s website proudly states:
“We’ve been making condoms from the finest raw materials since 1929, so we know a thing or two about performance—and not just in the bedroom (or wherever you’re doing it). Our condoms are electronically tested for holes, dermatologically tested for comfort, and consistently outperform standard quality benchmarks. We believe everyone, everywhere, should enjoy sex that feels good—with anyone, anywhere.”
They also emphasize their collaboration with experts:
“We work with health professionals, scientists, and academics—all focused on one mission: making sex feel good.”
