During World War II, the mass production of condoms began in 1940 as part of military hygiene programs aimed at preventing venereal disease among troops. The U.S. and Allied forces distributed millions of condoms to soldiers, recognizing the importance of sexual health in maintaining troop morale and readiness. This initiative marked a significant shift in public health policy and attitudes toward sexual health, with long-lasting implications for both military and civilian populations.

The mass production of condoms during WWII found its way into soldier poetry and post-war literature, where themes of camaraderie, fear, and survival were explored. Poets like Wilfred Owen and others reflected on the human experience during wartime, incorporating these new realities.