This Protex Mardi Gran brand condom was manufactured by National Sanitary Labs Incorporated of Lincolnwood, Illinois in 1975. The front of the package features a photo of a man and woman embracing in Mardi Gras costumes while confetti rains down. The front reads “Enjoy the Thrill of Colors/1 Colortone Lubricated Prophylactic.” The condom came in one of four pastel shades: Coral Caress, Golden Touch, Emerald Haze, and Blue Erotica.
During the first half of the 20th century, condoms could be sold “For Disease Prevention only.” But after the 1965 court case, Griswold v Connecticut, condoms could be sold as a form of birth control as well.
Protex condoms were often available from a variety of vending machines. Throughout the twentieth century, vending machines provided an easy way to discreetly distribute condoms.