Who Invented the Dildo? An Historic Guide

You might think the dildo is a relatively modern invention, but that is where you would be wrong. Dildos, originating from the Italian word 'Diletto' meaning 'to delight', date back thousands and thousands of years! While they may not have had battery-powered vibrations back then, dildos made of tar, stone, wood, and even bones certainly existed.

The World's First Ever Dildo

How old is the first ever recorded dildo, and where was it found? Dating back nearly 30,000 years, a siltstone dildo was found in a German cave. Some believe it may have been used as a fertility symbol for boosting crop growth. In contrast, others believe it shows that sexual pleasure away from traditional intercourse has always been a sought-after experience.

From there, dildos have been depicted throughout history, from the pleasure-loving Ancient Greeks right up until today, where we have a wide range of dildos to choose from and enjoy.

Dildos in Ancient Greece

The Ancient Greeks were one of the first civilizations known to experiment with the dildo in terms of shape, texture, and material. Exploring sex and sexuality was very common, as we can see referenced in art and paintings – some of which include women carrying baskets of dildos.

The Ancient Greeks believed women without sexual stimulation and ejaculation became hysterical. So, when the Greek men went off to fight in wars, women were provided with dildos to keep them satisfied. One such dildo was named 'olisboi' and made out of polished leather.

The Greeks also used a wide range of other materials for dildos, including animal intestines! That may not sound that pleasant, but apparently, it made a more natural and softer feel for people's pleasure.

They didn't stop there – the ancient Greeks also sometimes used bread as a dildo. Plus, to top it all off, they even used olive oil as a lubricant. Even an ancient civilization knew that inserting without lubrication was not a great choice! Comfort first, after all. 

Dildos in the Renaissance Age

Moving quite a bit forward, dildos were still around during the renaissance era, appearing in literature and poems. Even Shakespeare himself referenced the dildo in one of his plays:

'...with such delicate burthens of dildos and fadings, 'jump her and thump her;' and where some stretch-mouthed rascal would,' – The Winter's Tale, William Shakespeare.

While dildos were around and enjoyed, that did not stop the negativity surrounding them – especially with women using them. In 17th Century England, men feared that dildos took away their sexual masculinity, which ended up with laws prohibiting women from using them altogether. Men thought that women were using dildos rather than engaging with sexual partners. While this did not stop dildos from being used, some women did get prosecuted for it.

It was quite a different story in Japan around this period, however. Dildos were incredibly popular in Japan and often depicted in books called shunga, which showed all kinds of sexual pleasures and acts involving both men and women. Unlike in England, dildos were viewed as a positive form of pleasure for all adults to enjoy. That was, at least, until they got barred in Japan in 1722.

The Invention of the Vibrator

You now know that dildos date back thousands of years and have been used throughout history. What about the vibrator, though? Well known, well-loved, and heavily used today, the vibrator has a vibrant and troubling history. There is even a legend that Cleopatra used bees to create a pleasurable vibration sensation in 50BCE, but that is a tale we sadly cannot confirm.

The confirmed history of vibrators involves treating hysterical women during the Victorian period and beyond. During the Victorian era, the first vibrator was created in France and named the tremoussoir, eventually making its way to the US. While it was used as a medication, many men and women also used it for pleasure - although there was a taboo around that at the time. Back then, doctors used to stimulate the clitoris of women who were found to show signs of hysteria. They believed that an orgasm was the solution, and vibrators helped women reach one.

The first battery-operated vibrator for home use was released in 1899. It was likely mainly used by the rich and elite and was initially advertised as a beauty enhancer. Women were told that using the vibrator would help them look young!

The Modern Dildo

When sexual liberation reached new highs in the 60s and 70s, new sex toys followed suit. The Hitachi was created in the 70s and is still widely produced and loved today! Although, back then, it was advertised as a massager – although it was, of course, used for other purposes.

Many of the dildos in the 60s and 70s were made of rubber. While they felt great for the user, the material was porous, which meant that washing could never eliminate all the bacteria. Around this time, the silicone dildo, which still gets enjoyed today, was created by Gosnell Duncan. This invention was a step in the right direction, as it was much more body-safe than the rubber dildos used!

Nowadays, dildos come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and materials. You can find dildos that look and feel like a real-life penis, dildos made of glass with pretty and elegant designs, and dildos perfectly designed to reach the g-spot. Want to buy a dildo today? You are spoilt for choice! That is thanks to the fact that sex and masturbation is no longer a taboo subject as it was in the past. People are happier now than ever to explore their sexuality and find new ways to feel new levels of pleasure.

Here at Wet for Her, we specialize in women pleasuring women. We are an LGBT-focused sex toy company that has plenty of high-quality dildos for your enjoyment. No need for bread and olive oil like the women in Ancient Greece, thankfully! Go ahead and browse our excellent range of dildos as well as the rest of our pleasure-enhancing sex toys.