who evented sex toys
Ah sex toys. When I first heard about them, I have to admit I was a little squeamish. Who even evented them?! Well, it turns out that sex toys have been around for centuries. People have been using them for pleasure, health and entertainment since the early 1800s.
The early 1800s! That means religion and politics played into the rise of sex toys. These factors had some rather interesting effects. For example, some German doctors used them to cure what they thought were the dangers of “hysteria.” And some women used them in secret protest during the region’s strict anti-pornography laws.
It wasn’t until the 1900s that vibrators started appearing on the market. The Sears catalog even sold them! Then in the 1960s and ’70s, a sexual revolution broke out and a whole new wave of sex toys emerged. Suddenly, people had more access to these items, and their popularity soared.
Nowadays, sex toys come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, materials, and colors. You can find them in drug stores, sex shops, online stores, and even in some high-end fashion boutiques. There are dildos, vibrators, anal plugs, cock rings, and nipple clamps—just to name a few.
They’re no longer expensive, obscure items that are just for a few people. It seems like everyone’s got at least one, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Although sometimes, I still feel a little weird when I hear my friends talking about their sex toys in public.
Being curious about these items is totally normal. I mean, they are kind of mysterious. There’s a huge range of pleasure tools to explore, and people are using them to explore their own desires safely and responsibly.
It’s fascinating to find out about the history of sex toys. From these early instruments, designed to deal with “hysteria” to the modern-day tools made to give pleasure, each one has its own unique story to tell.
Traditionally, women have been the primary users of sex toys, but now more men are beginning to get in on the action. From vibrators to prostate massagers (not that I tried one of those yet!), men are finding new ways to explore and take pleasure in their bodies.
It’s also interesting to consider how sex toys are affecting our relationships and sexuality. Some therapists suggest using them as part of couples therapy. Others suggest they could provide a safe way to explore BDSM practices and other alternative lifestyles.
So while I may still be a bit squeamish about sex toys, it’s interesting to consider how they’ve been around for so long—and how they might be helpful for so many different people. In the end, it’s all about exploring our own desires and making them come true.