What is a dildo
What is a dildo?
There is some general disagreement about what precisely defines a dildo. There is general agreement that a nonvibrating device, resembling a penis in shape, size, and overall appearance is a dildo. Some people include vibrating devices in this definition. Others exclude penis prosthetic aids, also called "extensions." Some include penis-shaped items clearly designed with vaginal penetration in mind even if they are not true approximations of a penis. Some people include devices designed for anal penetration (butt plugs) while others do not. Dildos can be used to penetrate both men and women.
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.
Later, PVC dildos with a softer PVC filler became popular. Most of the inexpensive dildos sold today are made this way.
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 plastic 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. Silicone is also a high-quality material (especially when compared to the cheap, unsafe jelly rubber that many other dildos are made of) that can be sterilized by boiling or bleaching.
High-end, chrome-plated steel dildos are currently manufactured. Users might prefer steel because of its hardness, firmness, durability, and very low friction, especially when used in conjunction with lubricant. Because they are heavy, they can be used to exercise vaginal PC muscles.
A steel dildo may be warmed slightly or cooled in a bath of water before use to elicit a range of temperature sensations. It may also retain body heat of the user. Because of its polished, poreless surface, it may be sterilized with ease in boiling water, or even in an autoclave.
Glass dildos have similar features to steel ones. Glass toys are solid, not hollow, and usually made of Pyrex glass, although this may vary depending on the manufacturer. Like steel, glass toys may be used to apply firmer pressure than silicone can to a female's G-spot or male's prostate gland.
Shape
Conventionally, many dildos are shaped like a human penis with varying degrees of detail. Not all, however, are fashioned to reproduce the male anatomy meticulously, and dildos come in a wide variety of shapes. These may resemble goddess figures or simply be practical creations that stimulate women more easily than conventional designs. In Japan, many dildos are created to resemble animals or cartoon characters, like Hello Kitty, so that they may be sold as toys, thus avoiding obscenity laws.
Etymology
The word "dildo" originally referred to the phallus-shaped peg used to lock an oar in position on a dory (a fishing small boat). It would be inserted into a hole on the side of the boat, and is very similar in shape and function to the modern toy.
See also [ Penis pants ]
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