Dildo

:For the Canadian town, see Dildo, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Materials

Early dildos were made of stone, wood, leather, wax or pottery. Of these, leather dildos with a fairly solid filler of cotton rag remain popular with some people. Rubber dildos, usually incorporating a steel spring for stiffness, became available in the 1940s. This was a less than satisfactory arrangement because of the potential for serious injury from cuts from the spring, when the rubber finally cracked and came apart.

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Later, PVC dildos with a softer PVC filler became popular. Most of the inexpensive dildos sold today are made this way.

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Chrome-plated steel dildos have been made, and have a small following, especially in BDSM circles. They are not particularly comfortable because they do not flex.

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In the 1990s, silicone rubber dildos became more popular, a trend that has continued as the price has come down. These are easier to keep clean and do not have the characteristic plasticy aroma of PVC. They were expensive when introduced but are now reasonably priced, making them an excellent choice for the first-time user. Silicone holds body heat well, and is an excellent conductor of vibrations, allowing users to hold a vibrator at one end.

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More recently, dildos made of borosilicate glass (Pyrex) have come on the market. They are expensive, and inflexible, but have a following, thanks in part to the fact that they can be heated to body temperature in warm water, and sterilized via boiling.

Related Topics:
Borosilicate - Pyrex

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