Sex toys have been heating things up for thousands of years—long before your favorite rabbit vibrator or WOO’s Vibez rocked your world. While some people might think these pleasure enhancers are a modern invention, the truth is that men and women have been getting creative with their orgasms for centuries. And honestly? 

Our ancestors had some pretty wild ideas.

Let’s take a literal deep dive into the history of sex toys—from ancient stone dildos to the rise of today’s high-tech, sex-positive pleasure industry.

28,000 Years Ago: The OG Stone Dildo

Before we had silicone, motors, and pulsation modes, early humans were using—you guessed it—stone dildos. One of the oldest sex toys ever discovered was found in the Hohle Fels Cave in Germany. This 28,000-year-old phallic object (yep, older than any civilization we know) was carved from siltstone and shaped just right for some prehistoric pleasure.

It turns out that even our early ancestors understood one very simple truth: sexual pleasure is timeless.

Ancient Civilizations: Olive Oil, Cock Rings & Diy Vibrators

As society evolved, so did its pleasure enhancers. The Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Chinese had no shame when it came to sex.

Ancient Greece & Rome: Lubed-Up Orgasms

The Ancient Greeks were big believers in pleasure—both solo and partnered. Their go-to? Olive oil. They used it as a natural lube for enhanced pleasure. (WOO’s Coconut Love Oil, an oil-based lube, is basically the upgraded, modern version—without the risk of smelling like a salad.)

Meanwhile, the Romans weren’t just inventing aqueducts; they were also crafting bronze and leather dildos to keep things steamy in the bedroom. Some historians believe these weren’t just for pleasure but also used in religious rituals to honor fertility gods.

Ancient China: Cock Rings For Endurance

If you thought cock rings were a new trend, think again. The Ancient Chinese crafted them from goat eyelids (yes, really) to help men maintain erections and last longer.

The idea? More staying power = better sex = happier partners.

Fast forward a few thousand years, and today’s vibrating cock rings offer all the benefits—minus the eyelids.

The 19th Century: When Vibrators Became “Medical Devices”

Sex toys took a weird turn in the 1800s, when doctors started prescribing vibrators to treat “female hysteria.” Women experiencing anxiety, mood swings, or stress were thought to have pent-up sexual energy—so doctors, in their infinite wisdom, decided that manual stimulation was the cure.

But let’s be honest—rubbing out a cure for hysteria was exhausting for the doctors, so they did what any efficient person would do: they invented the first electric vibrator.

Meet The Men Who Helped Make Vibrators Mainstream:

• Joseph Mortimer Granville – Patented the first electromechanical vibrator in the 1880s, originally designed for muscle aches (sure, doc).
• George Taylor – Created a steam-powered vibrator (yikes), designed for treating hysteria.

What started as medical treatment quickly became one of the earliest sex toys sold directly to the public. By the early 1900s, vibrators were being advertised in women’s magazines—right next to ads for sewing machines.

The Rise Of The Modern Sex Toy Industry

As the United States and other countries embraced the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 70s, sex toys finally shed their medical disguise and became all about pleasure.

• 1960s: The first silicone-based dildos hit the market.
• 1970s: Sex shops started popping up, making toys more accessible.
• 1980s: Butt plugs, vibrating eggs, and waterproof vibes were introduced.
• 1990s: The Rabbit Vibrator (thanks, Sex and the City!) became the must-have sex toy.
• 2000s-Present: High-tech, rechargeable, and app-controlled sex toys dominate the market.

Sex Toys In The 21st Century: A Whole New World Of Pleasure

The sex toy industry has exploded, now catering to all genders, preferences, and desires. From sleek, whisper-quiet vibrators to Bluetooth-connected, app-controlled toys, pleasure is more high-tech than ever.

If our prehistoric ancestors could see today’s lineup of pulsating, warming, rotating sex toys, they’d ditch their stone dildos in a heartbeat.

Modern Game-Changers In The Sex Toy World:

1. Smart Toys – Bluetooth-enabled vibrators let couples play from anywhere.
2. Discreet Wearables – Sex toys disguised as jewelry? Yes, please.
3. Eco-Friendly Toys – Medical-grade silicone and rechargeable options are better for you and the planet.
4. Intensified Orgasms – Suction vibrators mimic oral sex.
5. Couples’ Vibrators – Designed for shared pleasure (like WOO’s Disco Stick for G-spot and clitoral stimulation).

Why The Sex Toy Industry Is Bigger (And Better) Than Ever

The stigma around sexual aids is disappearing fast. Thanks to sex-positive movements, open conversations, and increased accessibility, more people than ever are embracing sex toys as part of a healthy, fulfilling sex life.

And let’s be real—why wouldn’t you want to explore new sensations, spice things up, and maximize pleasure?

Final Thoughts On The History Of Sex Toys

Sex toys have come a long way from carved stone and goat eyelids (thank God). What started as basic tools of pleasure have evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry designed to make your sex life hotter, more exciting, and way more satisfying.

So, whether you’re still curious about butt plugs, or ready to experience WOO’s G-Spot vibrator, know this: pleasure is timeless. And lucky for you, we’re living in the best era of sexual exploration yet.

Now, go forth and play. 😉