Free classes on a variety of sexual topics, with class support sections for each topic and instructor Q&A.

Dildos 101

Instructors:
Jeff & Kris Booth
(text in black written by Jeff,
text in blue written by Kris)

Go to Dildos 101 Main Support Page    Erotic University Class Page
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Dildo History Basic Dildo Tips    Choosing a Dildo     Dildo Types
Realistic   Non-realisticDouble Headed    Handles  Harnesses
 

A Brief Dildo History

The word Dildo comes from a Latin word meaning to "open wide". In earlier cultures where sex was not quite as taboo as it is today, dildos held quite an honored place. In ancient Greece around the third century B.C. the city of Miletus was a major manufacturer of what was known as olisbos. Made of wood or padded leather, the lube of choice in those days was olive oil, which was liberally applied to them before use. A play of the time has two women discussing the importance of fine craftsmanship in such devices. In ancient China, dildos were made of wood, jade, and ivory. Unripened bananas have been commonly used in Arab and Polynesian countries. Dildos are represented throughout history in erotic painting, and were often quite beautifully designed, being works of art themselves.

Besides use for pleasure, dildos were often used in deflowering ceremonies. In some cases, dildos were attached to statues, as in the case of Priapus, a Greek god of Ancient Greece whose erect stone statue was used to pierce the hymen of young aristocratic women to better prepare them for marriage.
 
 

Keeping them clean is important, and the same info in our Vibrator section applies in terms of cleaning and the importance of using lube.

Some dildos are very soft and pliable, but exercise care with the more rigid ones. Take your time with them and insert them slowly, making sure that they are not pushing to hard in the wrong angle.
 
 

There are realistic dildos molded and colored very accurately to resemble the real thing. Of course, you don't have to have one that looks like a penis. In fact, Kris thinks that penis shaped dildos are silly looking, a sort of Bobbit experience. Fortunately, there are different types available, with interesting shapes beyond the traditional penis.

The simplest type of dildo is made from a cucumber or a zucchini. They can be warmed a little beforehand in the microwave (emphasis on a little). Inexpensive and arguably tasty, if you find one that is the perfect size, unlike commercial dildos, its not going to keep very long.

Dildos are now made from a wide variety of materials. Vinyl is one of the most common materials, as it is lightweight and non-porous. There are also a lot of new materials that we like a lot, such as the Puregel and other similar types.

Poorly made toys can be spotted by looking for bubbles in the plastic or rubber. These air bubbles near the surface can create little pits. This is due to pouring the second layer before the first has cooled, and these tend not to hold up as well. There are clear dildos that have bubbles on purpose to create a "champagne effect", but the key is to make sure none of these bubbles are near the surface where they can break open.

Choosing a size depends largely on what type of penetration you like. A huge dildo may look appealing, but the reality of having something that large inside you may not be as much fun as you imagined. Experiment and learn a little about yourself and what you like before making your purchase.

To determine what thickness you prefer, use the finger test. You can measure your own fingers to get a more exact size, but generally, the pinkie and the ring finger together are about 1 1/4" wide, while the index and middle finger side by side are about 1 1/2" wide. The pinkie, ring, and middle fingers together are about 2" wide, while the index, middle and ring finger together are about 2 1/4" wide. By inserting various sets of fingers, you can get a better idea of what width you most enjoy. When looking at a toy in a store that has no measurements, you can hold your fingers up to it to get an idea if it is in the neighborhood of what you like.

Another important consideration is whether the dildo will be used by you or by someone else using it on you. In general, what may feel good when you have the power may not feel as good when someone else is steering. In many cases, a slightly smaller size is preferable when you turn over the reigns.

Choosing a length depends upon what you like. If you like deeper penetration, go with the 8" size. If something a little less filling is more to your taste, or if you are interested in anal stimulation, you might consider the 6" version. Serious size queens might consider even longer models. If using with a harness, remember that you need a little extra length as some of it is lost in the harness itself.

Although we have never heard first hand of any problems, we think it is a good idea to avoid dildos that have the squirmy or bendable feature. In general, they just have a wire inside, and we have heard that it is possible for this wire to break through the toy. That would certainly not be comfortable. A newer type of bendable dildo has a plastic vertebrae, and while a little more expensive, this approach is a better way to go.
 
 

One consideration with all dildos is whether it has a base or not. If it does not, you probably will not be able to use it with a dildo harness. Dildos without bases are also a little more difficult to grip.

Realistic Dildos

There are several types of dildos. The most common are what are known as natural or realistic dildos. These have been molded to resemble a real penis as much as possible. Some are plain, while others have balls attached. Except for a few that are hand colored, most only vaguely resemble real skin. There are even some that are molded to look exactly like a penis but come in soft clear jelly like materials.

Non-Realistic Dildos

A lot of dildos are not designed to be exact replicas of actual penises, and I prefer them that way. A disembodied cock is just not that big a thrill to me. There are a lot of interesting shapes available that provide for a variety of different sensations.

Some are smooth, and some are molded into interesting shapes with ridges or other features. Most are made from a soft jelly like material that is very pliant.

These is made from a hard plastic like material that is very smooth. They tend to be expensive, and are typically molded into rounded shapes with knobs. There is one The knobs seem to be what people like the most, and it is very attractive. It comes with a stand, and you could set it out almost as a piece of sculpture. Its a bit expensive, but a lot of women swear by them.

The addition of a handle offers a better grip and more control.

A dildo harness is won on the body and holds a dildo in place so that you can use your body to thrust the dildo into your partner. Most common are the type that strap to the waist, but there are also versions for the hand, thigh, and even chin. These are also referred to as strap-ons.