Around 2500BC
Egyptian art depicts female dancers gyrating nearly naked, carrying a sculpture of an oversized erect penis to honour the god Osiris. Possibly an agricultural fertility ritual, although one has to wonder ...

Around 500BC
Invention of the olisbos, an early version of the Dildo, in the Greek port of Miletus. Traders sold these olisbos around the Mediterranean as sexual refuges for lonely ladies.

Around 350BC
First mention of olive oil as a sexual accessory. Originally it was touted for contraception but couples have used vegetable oils as lubricants ever since.

Around 300AD
Invention of Penis Extenders, now known as prosthetic penis attachments or PPAs. These cylindrical devices, which fit over men's erections to make them look larger, were first mentioned in the classic Indian sex manual, the Kama Sutra , which suggested crafting them from wood, leather, buffalo horn, copper, silver, ivory or gold.


Around 500AD
Invention of Ben Wa Gold Balls balls. Originally they were a single ball used to increase men's pleasure during intercourse. Some were solid, others hollow with clappers that made a ringing sound as they rolled around in the vagina. Eventually they were paired and used by women to increase the strength of their pelvic floor muscles, much like Kegel exercises are used today.


Around 1200
Invention of the cockring. The first documented rings were made in China from the eyelids of goats with eyelashes intact. The flexible eyelids were tied around men's erections, and the hardened lashes were said to increase the pleasure of intercourse.

Around 1400
Coining of the term "dildo." In Renaissance Italy, the Greek olisbo became "dildo," possibly from the Latin dilatare, to open wide, or perhaps from the Italian diletto, to delight. Renaissance Italian dildos were made of wood or leather and required liberal lubrication with olive oil for comfortable use.


Around 1600
Invention of the modern cockrings and clitoral stimulators. Chinese men slipped ivory rings over their erections to help maintain them. The rings were ornately carved, usually depicting dragons. Over time, the carved dragons' tongues extended to form a nub that would rub against the woman's clitoris and enhance her pleasure during intercourse

Around 1750
Appearance of modern BDSM. European brothels began specializing in flagellation and other SM-style "punishments" that dominant prostitutes meted out to willingly submissive men.

1791
Publication of Justine by the Marquis de Sade, from whom the term "sadism" is derived. His controversial writings helped popularise BDSM and the many toys used in sexual power play, such as Whips, and Restraints. ("Masochism" comes from Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, who wrote a novel about male sexual submission.)

1844
The vulcanisation of rubber, which made it stronger and more elastic. This would later lead other inventors to develop rubber Condoms, dildos and other sex toys.


1882
Debut of the first electromechanical vibrator. Forerunner of today's vibrators, these vibrators were smaller and less cumbersome than Taylor's steam-powered device. The original electromechanical vibe was a battery-powered massager designed by British physician Joseph Mortimer Granville. It featured attachments similar to those in today's vibrator kits, which allowed the physician treating hysteria to vary the vibratory sensations the device produced. However, Granville was firmly opposed to using his device as a treatment for female hysteria and considered it useful only for massage of men's skeletal muscles to treat injuries caused by overexertion.

1890's
Invention of the motion picture. Almost immediately after movies appeared, early filmmakers began producing pornography, some of which featured women playing with vibrators and dildos, including strap ons

1899
Publication of America's first advertisement for a home electric vibrator the Vibratile, in McClure's magazine -- as a cure for headache, wrinkles, and "neuralgia," or nerve pain, a term that included hysteria.


1907
The Penis Stiffener wins a U.S. patent. This device, the first American PPA, was developed by Louis Hawley. It was a hollow, metal cylinder. It had a wide opening at one end for insertion of the penis and a small opening at the other to allow sperm into the vagina. It was designed for use by men with erection problems.

1917
Introduction of KY Cream. Originally marketed to physicians to improve women's comfort during pelvic exams, KY went over the counter as a sexual lubricant in 1980. Since then, many other lubricants have been introduced.


The mid 1920's
The emergence of strip tease. Dancers slowly peeled down to nipple covers and incorporated many props into their acts, among them: fans, furs, capes, and feather boas. Many of their costume pieces were eventually incorporated into sexual accessories.


Around 1930
Development of latex rubber. Lighter, softer, and more pliable then vulcanised rubber, latex revolutionized contraception, allowing production of better Condoms and diaphragms. It also led to the development of latex sex toys.


1953
Debut of Playboy magazine. Although it was attacked as "pornography," the early issues were extremely tame by today's standards. It did, however, pave the way for X-rated media as we know it today

1998
The Rabbit Vibrator (makes an appearance on HBO's multi-award winning show, "Sex and the City" as the once timid character Charlotte's new best friend. After the episode aired, demand of the toy skyrocketed.


####