When you ask someone to name a sex toy, sex toys like a dilator, Ben Wa balls or butt plug are probably not mentioned. The term ‘sex toys’ mainly refers to the dildo online. That is not without reason, because the dildo has been around for many years. But when did this penis-shaped toy originate and what does Shakespeare have to do with it?

Fun in a cave

The oldest dildo in the world is said to have been found in a cave. Cavemen had great fun in their cave 28,000 years ago with a penis-shaped object 20 centimeters long and 3 centimeters thick. The dildo was found in southern Germany and according to researchers there is a very good chance that the object is based on the male genitals. It is not clear whether it was actually used as a sex toy.

Shakespeare and Dildos

What exactly do these two have to do with each other? Well, the critter got a name around Shakespeare’s time. In his ‘The Winter’s Tale’ the English poet also refers to the dildo. In the seventeenth century, the dildo became even more popular with the poem ‘Signior Dildo’ by John Wilmot. Signior is synonymous with the sex toy and is literally translated for ‘Male person’.

In this poem, Wilmot mocked parliament for objecting to the English prince’s marriage to an Italian princess. According to them, calling off the marriage would bring great pleasure to the English subjects. John Wilmot joked in the poem that mass importing of Italian dildo already did.

Part of ‘Signior Dildo’:

“You would take him at first for no person of note,
Because he appears in a plain leather coat,
But when you his virtuous abilities know,
You’ll fall down and worship Signior Dildo.

The good Lady Suffolk, thinking no harm,
Had got this poor stranger hid under her arm.
Lady Betty by chance came the secret to know
And from her own mother stole Signior Dildo.

The Countess of Falmouth, of whom people tell
Her footmen wear shirts of a guinea an ell,
Might save that expense, if she did but know
How lusty a swinger is Signior Dildo.

By the help of this gallant the Countess of Rafe
Against the fierce Harris preserved herself safe;
She stifled him almost beneath her pillow,
So closely she embraced Signior Dildo.”