Sex dolls, also known as blow-up dolls, have a long and varied history. As they become more and more realistic, one day they may actually tell us of their reality.
Not unlike the famed Pinocchio, their ultimate hope may be to become a real woman or man. Lots of people, mostly men, enjoy them immensely, while others find them disgusting, i.e. an odd fetish designed to replace real humans. But, what is the real story behind sex dolls? Who birthed them? What is their future? Let’s get into the amazing tale of the lives of sex dolls and their ancestors.
Our story begins in 8 AD. when Ovid, author of Metamorphoses, wrote a myth that told the tale of a woman sculpted by Pygmalion. This woman, made of ivory, was called Galatea and Pygmalion was obsessed. Over time, he poured hours into bathing her, feeding her, and sleeping with her, until Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, took pity on a poor and lonely Pygmalion and turned the ivory-skinned Galatea into a real woman. One question remains: Did he love the real woman as much as the ivory-skinned Galatea?
The history books go deeper into Pygmalion’s story, but let’s continue, as the sex doll’s tale thickens.
During the 11th and 12th century, the English and Irish churches began carving “Sheela-na-gigs” into the sides of their churches to ward off horrid spirits. Made of marble, it was believed that touching these carvings could provide you with supernatural powers of healing. As they were carved with exaggerated vulvas, perhaps the warding off of evil spirits was a euphemism for sexual frustration and the healing was of the orgasmic kind.
As the 15th century came ashore, sex dolls took to the sea, becoming, for the French, “Dame de Voyage”, for the Spanish, “Dame De Vinje”, and for the German, “Seemannsbraut”. The most honest was, of course, the Germans, who didn’t bother pretending the dolls were something they weren’t. These dolls were made from sewn cloth and occupied the time and bodies of the sailors on those long, lonely, months-long journeys at sea.
As the years went on, sex dolls became more modernized and very German. The year was 1941 and sex dolls undertook the transformation from seemannsbraut to Nazi soldier saviors. SS leader, Heinrich Himmler, initiated the “Borghild Field-Hygiene Project” to prevent STDs, i.e., “unnecessary losses” of Nazi soldiers. Considered to be “Geheime Reichssache” or “More secret than top secret” the project began. To create these magnificent dolls that could spread no infections, Himmler recruited the sculptor, Arthur Rink, to create these enticing dolls with breasts that were “round and full”. Rink made three dolls: Type A: 168 cm bust, Type B: 176 cm bust, and Type C: 182 cm bust, fashioning their busts according to Himmler’s direction.
SS Dr. Olen Hannussen proclaimed the dolls should have “a rose hip from, that would grip well.” But, the issue came when it was time to sculpt the faces. What would these yet-to-be silicone sirens look like? Apparently, like the actress, Käthe von Nagy, or so they thought. After asking to borrow her face, she declined, and so the human-like face was discarded and, at the suggestion of Dr. Hannussen the “artificial face of lust” was born. Franz Tschakert, a technician, agreed wholeheartedly, stating these sex dolls should “never become a substitute for the honorable mother at home”. He also asserted that the doll had one purpose and it wasn’t love.
When the first Borghild model, Type B, was finished in September of 1941, its looks complemented the Nordish Nazi standard of beauty: a tall blonde with a large bust, slim hips, and legs for days. But, did the soldiers take to these dolls or was it a wasted effort?
Again, you decide, the story must continue despite the answer being untold. In 1959, Ruth Handler, would look upon another doll based off of this life-sized, blonde, blow-up, vixen and create Barbie Millicent Roberts, also known as Barbie.
Born March 9th, 1959, Barbie created a standard of beauty in the hearts and minds of little girls that wouldn’t be disrupted for nine years, unofficially, and twenty-one years, officially. Despite this, Barbie would inspire millions of girls to reach the pinnacle of their potential.
There is just one mysterious tidbit that must be added to this story of lives unlived in Germany. Some believe the “Borghild Field-Hygiene Project” never occurred, that it was nothing but a hoax unsupported by evidence, but read more of the history and decide for yourself.
1975. The Stepford Wives premieres. In a quaint town in somewheresville Stepford, Connecticut lies a little town full of little men and beautiful wives. Creepy wives that are, you could say, inhumanly perfect.
In the 1980’s sex dolls demanded to become official and get a voice. Sex Objects Ltd, in Britain, heard their call, and created the official First Sex Robot. Her name was 36C and she had a primitive voice that sounded somewhat like the voice of Stephen Hawking’s voice synthesizer, except feminine. Very hot.
A court case, originating from sex companies, filed against Britain’s indecency laws begins in 1982. Five years later, the country lifts its ban on importing dirty stuff and all sex companies, including Sex Objects Ltd., rejoiced.
And then, the unspeakable happened. In 1995, sex dolls were hit hard, humiliated, and brought low. Sheep had taken their place. Sheep! Inflatable sex sheep were created by Muttonbone Productions, Inc., and titled Love Ewe. Reportedly, they were sold as gag gifts, but as German technician Franz Tschakert said, sex dolls were made for only one purpose.
So, sex dolls had their fifteen minutes of fame and would have more. But, just how much would they change, be replaced, and strive for a new life?
Find out more in The Mysterious Life Of A Sex Doll Part 2…
