Carlo Ratti's 'Objectify' Traces Condom's Italian Design Origins
Carlo Ratti is delving into everyday Italian items in a new summer series for Wallpaper*. The latest installment highlights condoms, emphasizing their prevalence yet lack of visibility. Ratti links their history to 16th-century Padua, where anatomist Gabriele Falloppio may have performed early trials with a linen sheath treated with various substances, notably achieving zero infections among 1,100 participants. Modern condoms, measuring just 0.07mm and packaged in aluminum, should embody safety and allure, according to Ratti. The series also aims to showcase other neglected Italian products like mosquito coils and toll transponders. Ratti operates CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati and teaches at MIT and Politecnico di Milano.
Key facts
- Carlo Ratti's 'Objectify' series for Wallpaper* explores Italy through everyday objects.
- The third installment examines the condom as a piece of industrial design.
- Gabriele Falloppio conducted a clinical trial in 16th-century Padua using a linen sheath soaked in wine, guaiac and mercury.
- Falloppio's design included a pink ribbon to make it attractive to women.
- The trial involved 1,100 volunteers, with none reportedly infected.
- Modern condoms are 0.07mm latex cylinders sealed in aluminum sachets.
- The series is also published weekly in Il Sole 24 Ore.
- Ratti directed the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2025.
Entities
Artists
- Carlo Ratti
- Gabriele Falloppio
- Achille Castiglioni
Institutions
- Wallpaper*
- Il Sole 24 Ore
- CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati
- Politecnico di Milano
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Senseable City Lab
- La Biennale di Venezia
Locations
- Italy
- Padua