The ancient history of the dildo...

It's only in recent times that dildos and other sex toys have come into the mainstream as something acceptable to talk about, however the dildo is by no means a modern invention. I find it refreshing and brilliant that people now feel comfortable to discuss sex toys, making pleasure a priority. The once niche sex toy market has now grown into an unstoppable industry worth billions, showing us that plenty of people like a bit of help in the bedroom...

The humble dildo, however, dates back some 30,000 years, an ancient tool that has been found to be used as far back as the Stone Age, and inevitably earlier we can suppose. Traditionally, archaeologists tried to conceive of non sexual uses for the phalluses that they uncovered, however opinion is now changing to the fact that these objects were probably used for sexual pleasure. Some of the phalluses are incredibly detailed, with retracted or totally absent foreskin, piercings, tattoos, and scars. Along with their life-size and smooth, polished construction (from siltstone, chalk, or antler bone)  scholars have come to believe that these ancient phalluses were used as dildos.

In Ancient Greece we have evidence of dildos made from bread. Bread dildos were used by men and women as a sexual aid,  according to Vicki Leon, author of The Joy of Sexus: Lust, Love & Longing in the Ancient World. Images of bread dildos have been recorded in a range of sources, although it's vague on whether they were used for ritualistic purposes or everyday pleasure. The Greeks definitely used dildos in other contexts; the play Lysistrata, about women who go on sex strike, includes a discussion of the use of dildos to satisfy themselves while protesting. Men going off to war also gave their wives so-called "olisbos" to prevent "hysteria"...

In Ancient India the infamous Kama Sutra, believed to have been written around 400 BC to 200 AD, offers wisdom on the art of living well: how to live a life both emotionally and sexually fulfilling. Among detailed descriptions of sex positions lies a brief mention of dildos. Here, men were advised to use strap-on dildos if they found themselves unable to satisfy their sexual partner. In contrast to what might be expected today, there was no implied sense of emasculation associated with the use of these sexual aids. Instead, the ability to satisfy one’s sexual partner by alternative means was often celebrated and encouraged. 

However, in Europe in the 16th and 17th century dildos began to be linked to emasculation and were eventually outlawed. From 1670 dildos were seized at English customs, and many Englishwomen were prosecuted for owning and creating makeshift dildos in the absence of the real deal.

Thankfully dildos did not remain outlawed and soon the first vibrator was to be invented... Check out my next post on the history of the vibrator from a device used by doctors to the incredible selection we can indulge in today...

Stay safe. Have fun. Issy x