You learn something new every day
People are only just realizing what the brand Durex stands for – and it’s not what you’d expect.
Durex has been a dominant force in the global condom market for over a century, but the story behind its name is less known.
Originally founded in 1915 as the London Rubber Company, the brand rebranded to Durex in 1929 and began carving out its reputation as a pioneering condom brand in the 1950s. With a legacy of innovation, Durex has achieved numerous industry milestones. It was the first to introduce electronic testing for its products, create anatomically shaped rubber, and in the 1970s, it became the first condom brand to expand globally and advertise in multiple countries.
By the late 1990s, Durex had earned a reputation for consistent quality with its global ‘quality seal’ and was offering a variety of condoms, including colorful, flavored, and latex-free options. The 2000s saw further innovation with the introduction of ribbed, dotted, and lubricated condoms, further cementing Durex’s place as a leader in the industry.
What many people don’t realize is that the name Durex is actually a clever acronym— and it’s not what some might assume, like ‘During Sex.’ According to the BBC, the name stands for DUrability, REliability, and EXcellence, reflecting the company’s core values.
This revelation has left people around the world stunned, with many admitting they’d never given much thought to the brand’s unusual name. “I always thought it just meant durable,” one person said, while others speculated it might be a nod to an ex-partner.
One woman, who was studying brand names and their market power, shared her surprise on social media: “Corona took a hit when Covid hit, and other brand names have turned into verbs like ‘Googling it.’ But even Durex stands for durability, reliability, and excellence,” she wrote.
Some couldn’t resist having a bit of fun with the news: “Who knew the #DUREX name was all about Durability, Reliability, and Excellence? Guess that makes me a Durex-beast in bed! Hahaha.”
As British Heritage reveals, Durex’s origins trace back to the intellectual brilliance of Polish rubber technology student Lucian Landau. However, it wasn’t until 1932 that Durex began manufacturing its own brand of condoms. Since then, the company has continually raised the bar in sexual health and product performance.
Durex proudly states on its website: “We’ve been making condoms with the finest raw materials since 1929, so we know a thing or two about performance. And we don’t just mean in the bedroom (or wherever you’re doing it).”
The brand emphasizes that its condoms undergo rigorous electronic testing for holes, dermatological testing for comfort, and consistently outperform standard products in global quality tests. Durex is committed to ensuring that everyone, everywhere, can enjoy satisfying, safe sex with confidence.
“We partner with people who know all about sex. They’re health professionals, scientists, and academics, and they’re on a mission to help us make sex feel good,” the company adds.
So, next time you’re looking for a fun fact to share, you’ve got a great icebreaker to impress with!
