The Evolution of Adult Toys: Origins, Transformations, and Modern Uses

Throughout human history, society has undergone multiple sexual revolutions to create a world where "adult stores" are as commonplace as neighborhood supermarkets. The variety of products in sex shops continues to expand, featuring sophisticated technological innovations that impress even the most experienced users. Modern adult toys have evolved so dramatically from their ancient predecessors that it’s worth revisiting how it all began.

In pagan cultures, sex was often seen as a divine tool to connect humans with gods. Our ancestors were far more inventive and liberated than we might imagine. The oldest known dildo is over 28,000 years old—a 20-centimeter smooth stone artifact discovered in 2005 during excavations in present-day Germany. While some anthropologists debate its purpose, most agree on its straightforward and obvious use.

Ancient pagan rituals frequently involved objects mimicking reproductive organs. Scholars suggest that priests or shamans used such items in initiation ceremonies for virgins. Pagans believed that within a woman capable of giving life lay the boundary between the divine and human realms. If an inexperienced young man engaged with a virgin, he risked being drawn into the world of gods, facing inevitable doom.

Self-pleasure held sacred significance in Ancient Egypt as well. According to legend, the creator god Atum formed the first divine couple—a man and a woman—through masturbation. Sexual enjoyment and toys were integral to rituals and were neither forbidden nor shameful. A curious tale from Ancient Egypt involves an early prototype of the vibrator: Cleopatra supposedly placed wild bees inside a hollow gourd or phallic-shaped vessel. With no one to sting, the bees tried to escape by raising the temperature through continuous abdominal vibrations. Although intriguing, no concrete evidence supports this story.

Ancient Greece also contributed notably to the history of sex toys. Greeks crafted dildos from wood, stone, bone, leather, and even bread. Olive oil was commonly used as a lubricant—perhaps the only diet where bread and oil were encouraged together. Such toys were initially popular among men before becoming embraced by women.

Asia was no stranger to sexual innovation either. In China, special rings designed to prolong erections were crafted from ox and goat eyelids—an image best left to the imagination. China and Japan also introduced vaginal balls made from stone, silver, gold, and other materials. These balls, attached to a fine silk thread, were inserted into the vagina and then pulled out. Women were expected to retain them inside, a practice used to test the vaginal tone of concubines; if the balls fell out, it was believed the woman would be unsatisfactory in bed.

Sexual Morality: What’s Right and What’s Wrong?

Over time, attitudes toward sex transformed dramatically, influenced by religion, politics, and the rise of secular society. Women were first accused of sinfulness, then labeled as lustful, diagnosed with nymphomania and uterine fury. Eventually, sex became illegal and shameful for both genders, impacting the perception and availability of sex toys.

As early as Hippocrates’ era, hysteria was documented as a female ailment. Symptoms included irritability, restlessness, arousal, anxiety, and abdominal pain, all blamed on the wandering womb. Scientists believed the uterus roamed the body seeking harmony, sometimes attaching to the brain and causing neurotic behavior. This condition, known as "uterine fury," was treated with orgasms—a surprisingly humane approach. However, in Victorian Europe and America, women with such diagnoses suffered barbaric treatments like ovary removal and female circumcision—a practice still performed in some African countries today.

Operation "Clitoris": Locate and Destroy!

The true sexual revolution was expected during the Renaissance, a period known for liberal views on sex and sensual pleasures. In 1559, Italian surgeon Realdo Colombo made a groundbreaking discovery: the clitoris, identified as the source of female pleasure and sexual desire. His medical manuscripts contained the first description of this organ. This anatomical revelation could have sparked a sexual awakening for women, but history took a different turn.

Firstly, the Catholic Church began tightening restrictions in the early 16th century. Sensual artworks and nude figures, whether in frescoes or sculptures, were banned. Secondly, the 16th century saw the rise of Puritanism, which suppressed sexual freedom for many years.

Following this, the Victorian era in Britain and its colonies became the most asexual period in human history. This fanatical morality influenced all of Europe. Puritans dominated society, and their views permeated medical practice. Women were often diagnosed with nymphomania or "uterine fury," conditions described as early as the 4th century BCE. Any physical contact, nudity, vaginal penetration, or bodily interaction was deemed sinful. Gynecologists examined women through sheets under dim light. Treatments included long horseback rides or, more cruelly, ovary removal and female circumcision.

Expressions of sexual desire—and even traditional sex—were classified as illnesses to be cured. Clergy warned of masturbation’s harmful effects, claiming it caused hairy palms, blindness, and brain deterioration. Surprisingly, even diet was used to suppress libido. American doctor John Kellogg invented cornflakes to diminish sexual desire. Although lacking scientific proof, the cereal’s unpleasant taste effectively discouraged all desires. Later, Kellogg’s brother Will added sugar, which helped cornflakes gain worldwide popularity. Needless to say, sex toys were unimaginable in these "dark" times.

The Vibrator: A Manifesto of Female Sexuality

By the late 19th century, as Puritanical views waned, doctors adopted kinder approaches to women with "uterine fury." Treatment involved manual stimulation lasting 20 to 40 minutes, often a pleasurable experience for patients. However, for doctors seeing up to ten such patients daily, the workload was intense.

In 1869, the first ancestor of the modern vibrator emerged: Dr. George Taylor’s steam-powered device. This bulky apparatus required two assistants to stoke coal, while the doctor performed treatments. It cost an extravagant $200 at the time. Women achieved "hysterical paroxysm"—the term then used for orgasm—in 10 to 15 minutes, leading to longer queues for doctors.

In 1880, Englishman Joseph Granville redesigned Taylor’s invention, creating the "hammer"—a mini drill with a ball tip powered by a generator. Though bulky, it brought women to orgasm within 5 to 10 minutes. However, usage was confined to doctors’ offices, failing to alleviate long patient waits.

The breakthrough came in 1902 when Hamilton Beach introduced the first portable handheld vibrator. Sold in pharmacies as a "muscle massager for tension relief," it was recommended for facial rejuvenation, headaches, hysteria, and body massage. The device became the fifth electrified household appliance after the sewing machine, toaster, fan, and electric kettle. Interestingly, electric irons appeared in homes later.

The adult toy industry truly blossomed in the 1960s. The market saw the introduction of vibrating dildos, but the iconic "Magic Wand" by Hitachi, launched in 1968, became the ultimate cult sex toy. Marketed as a body massager with a modest, minimalist design—far from resembling genitalia—it gained popularity among women and became a bestseller.

American sex educator Betty Dodson played a vital role in popularizing the Magic Wand. From the late 1960s, she conducted self-pleasure workshops in New York, where 15 nude women consistently reached orgasm using the device. In the early 1970s, another pioneering woman, Dell Williams, inspired by Dodson, opened New York’s first female sex shop. Thus, the 20th century witnessed a true manifesto of female sexuality. Hitachi officially acknowledged the Magic Wand’s status as a sex vibrator only in 1992.

How Women Embrace Pleasure Today

The Hitachi Magic Wand remains one of the world’s best-selling sex toys over 50 years later. Progress continues, and sex shops regularly expand their selections. Another beloved favorite is the "Rabbit" vibrator, popularized by the 1998 TV series "Sex and the City," which skyrocketed its sales.

Recently, clitoral stimulators that mimic cunnilingus have gained popularity. For example, over the past four years, more than three million women have purchased the Womanizer Premium, a vacuum-wave clitoral stimulator. Users praise its capabilities beyond male imagination. The Sona Cruise clitoral stimulator broke sales records last year, with demand rising 200%. The minimalist Arc vibrator, launched in January 2019, sold out within 72 hours. Buyers attest that this toy perfectly targets the sacred G-spot.

Patriarchal norms and puritanical taboos are relics of the past. The clitoris, discovered by Italian Colombo in the 16th century and once condemned as sinful, has been rehabilitated. Today, women cherish their bodies, explore their desires passionately, and confidently discuss intimate topics. They eagerly invest in adult stores, embracing their sexuality fully.

Photo: Getty Images

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