The origin of the word dildo

The etymology of the word dildo is shrouded in mystery. Some think that the sex toy may take its name from the phallus-shaped element used to position an oar on a dory, a type of small boat. Another possibility is the word is a corruption of the Italian diletto, meaning “pleasure”. While the actual origin of the word is enigmatic, we do know that the term has been around since the 16th century – and that William Shakespeare himself used the term in The Winter’s Tale. How’s that for a sexy English Lit lesson!

The birth of a realistic dildo

According to archaeological research, the first appearance of a dildo can be traced back to about 27,000 BC. While we cannot assume that all representations of the phallus were used for sexual means, we cannot rule out the possibility that people of the time were getting busy with well-chosen phallic-shaped objects they had lying around. In ancient Egypt, many archaeological masterpieces, from frescos to sculptures, depicted the penis. We can only conclude that the penis has been an important part of a number of different human civilizations throughout the years. Frankly, we understand why!

From hard rock to supple silicone

The dildo has evolved in many different ways since it first stepped on the scene. The first dildos were made of glass, stone, wood, and leather. The Second World War saw the birth of the first rubber dildos, featuring a solid steel inner frame. The idea of rubber was quickly discarded, as the material had the unfortunate tendency to degrade quickly with use. Rubber soon gave way to the first PVC dildos. Perhaps the biggest shake-up came in the 90s with the advent of the silicone dildo. This soft and lifelike material soon made a splash with sex toy aficionados everywhere. Today’s dildos are mostly made of super soft, body-safe materials. Allergies aside, the use of a modern dildo is practically risk-free. The only scary thing about using a dildo is how good it feels!