THE EVOLUTION OF SEXTOYS: FROM PREHISTORY TO SOFT PARIS

Do you find a prehistoric man or woman using a sextoy hard to imagine? Think again! The pursuit of sexual pleasure has been an important part of human life since the beginning of time and our ancestors used to have fun with sextoys too. Let’s find out the story of something that has made more than one person vibrate with pleasure!

PREHISTORY OF THE SEXTOY

The pursuit of sexual pleasure didn’t wait for the modern era to be talked about: it was already extremely important in the days of our prehistoric ancestors. Some scientists discovered that even the orangutans, our very first predecessors, used to pleasure themselves with sextoys, also called “pleasure sticks”. In Germany, someone managed to find a 32,000 year-old sextoy. Most likely an ancestor of our Pin-up, it was carved from a sedimentary rock and was around 8’’ long. Another one, called “double phallus”, was found in Dordogne (France). You can easily guess its purpose!

FROM ANCIENT TIMES TO THE MIDDLE AGES, SEXTOYS START DIVERSIFYING

You have surely heard of Cleopatra’s sextoy (probably as famous as her nose). Rumor has it that the queen of Ancient Egypt was the inventor of the first sextoy: a little papyrus box containing live bees. Of course that was never confirmed - not to mention the risks that came with such a sextoy. But we are positive that the queen would have been a fan of our intimate toy Gaia (stimulator)! In the meantime, in Greece but also in Japan, the sextoy called olisbos - “leather phallus” - was spreading like wildfire. In Ancient China, Kairos’ predecessor, the penis ring, was already well-known for its ability to extend pleasure and, before it (500 AD), Geisha balls already existed. Centuries later, they still play a key-role in many women’s sexlife. They can be found under the names of Geisha Therapy, Eos - for natural materials’ passionates - orLove Egg, capable of seducing tech lovers with its remote control. You only need to book a Soft Party (direct sale) to realise that! But it’s during the Middle Ages that the French term “godemiché” - used to refer to artificial phalluses - was heard for the first time. It comes from the latin expression “gaude-mihi” which means “make me feel pleasure”. Back then, the most commonly used sextoys were the leather ones (olisbos) and vegetables like the famous cucumber.

XIX CENTURY: STEAM IS AT THE SEXTOY’S SERVICE

In 1869 sextoys’ history reached a turning point: the invention of the steam engine led to the first vibrator. Far from being an actual intimate toy, none were aware of its potential for pleasure. As a matter of fact, it was used by physicians to cure women suffering from hysteria, panic attacks and phobias. An upside to being ill. ;-) But it was only at the end of XIX century, thanks to the invention of the battery, that vibrators were finally introduced on the market and became actual intimate toys. This most likely made the number of hysteric women drop!

XX CENTURY: INNOVATION AND SEXTOYS

The XX century witnessed the invention of electricity and, consequently, of the first electric vibrator (1902, patented by Hamilton Beach). And, as if pleasure were not good reason enough, marketers used to attribute slimming powers to it. The 70s are famous for the sexual revolution and, during said time, sextoys benefitted from considerable innovation. GI Duncan’s handicap pushed him to invent the first silicone dildo, with the sole purpose of satisfying his partner. In 1983 the indispensable Rabbit was invented, the very one Charlotte from Sex and the City obsessed over. True fans of the TV series will definitely remember that!

TODAY: THE SEXTOY’S GOLDEN AGE

Soft Paris, European leader in the direct sale of naughty products, has been offering products designed for women and couples’ pleasure for over 10 years. To name one, its new generation sextoy Paolo, suction clitoral stimulator, has already rocked many a women’s world. This is why we can safely say that we live in a sextoy’s golden age! Sextoys’ history is the proof of how the pursuit of sexual pleasure has been part of human life since the beginning of times. Stopping taboos means accepting that sexual pleasure is something that everyone needs. Do you think Cleopatra would have enjoyed buying something during a Soft Party, direct sale? She would probably have appreciated the professionalism and - most of all - Soft Paris’ sextoys selection!