From the Cold War archives In the 1950s, when Cold War tensions were at their height, the Soviet Red Army unexpectedly placed an order with the U.S. Defense Department's procurement office. The order asked for five million boxes of twelve-inch long condoms. The unusual request was sent up the chain to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where it was heatedly discussed. Finally, a decision was passed back down to the procurement office. ""Fill the order, but stamp all the boxes 'Medium'"".