The History of Sex Toys

Adult toys have a long and interesting history. It is hard to determine exactly when sex toys were first invented, or even to determine the first civilization to use them. Paleolithic art indicates that phallic devices were in use over 30000 years ago, this is believed to be around the time human culture began to develop.

The first documented trade and production of dildos occurred in ancient Rome and Greece. These were generally basic phallic shaped objects, made from stone, bronze or wood, and sometimes covered in a leather padding or similar material. With olive oil being the lubricant of choice. The Greek port city of Miletus became the manufacturing center and dildos, or "olisbos" as they were known at the time, were distributed all over the Mediterranean. It is not certain where the modern term "dildo" comes from, but it is possible that it is derived from the Italian word: "diletto" which means "pleasure". Evidence of the use of phallic shaped sex toys is also evident in ancient Chinese and Indian cultures. The Kama Sutra, an ancient scripture on sex, makes mention of metal objects being worn on the penis for the purpose of extension.

In the late 1800s, the first electric vibrators appeared, but they were prescribed to women as a medical device to treat "hysteria" in a time when women were considered non sexual, and anything sexual was strictly taboo. Doctors would treat women for "hysteria" by massaging their vaginal lips until they experienced "relief" from the "condition". Units were also retailed privately as "massagers" at this time.

Society and technology progressed, and by the 1930s erotic movies showing women using vibrators sexually were being made. Vibrators were no longer disguised as a therapeutic device, and were available via mail order from various magazines and publications that were available at the time.

The 1960's were a time infamous for hippies, free ideals and a general drive to relax cultural constraints that were perceived by the up and coming generation as irrational. Battery operated vibrators and a large range of other innovative erotic devices were available from specialty stores, and from then on, the variety, technology and popularity of sex toys have increased to the point at which we see it today, where large companies on big budgets strive to create the most life-like or unique and titillating sensations with space-age materials and new design processes. The popularity of adult toys ensures the development remains constant and the competition fierce, with new products hitting the market almost weekly. Some disappear shortly after going on sale, and some stay on the market for years.

Some parts of the world have banned sex toys, with the sale of "sex toys" banned in the American states of Alabama, Georgia and Texas, and various Eastern countries. Most American-made sex products have "For Novelty Use Only" printed on the packaging, to get around this law. In Japan, where they are famous for making vibrators of the finest quality with smooth and quiet operation, the sale of sex toys is also illegal. For this reason, a Pearl Boy vibrator, and all other Japanese manufactured vibrators have a face on the tip, so that they can be classified as a "toy" rather than a "sex toy".

Today, it is popular to purchase adult toys over the internet, from an online store such as Funtasia or Eden's Fantasys, where the customer can select from thousands of products and have them delivered discreetly to their door.