A blow up doll is a life-sized inflatable sex toy designed to resemble a human partner. They are typically used as masturbation aids by men and other people with penises.
Blow up dolls are sometimes called love dolls or sex dolls. However, these terms may be used for any human-shaped sex toy, including RealDolls and sexbots.
What is a blow up doll?
Blow up dolls are the same shape and size as a human partner, but may have more stylized features. Early blow up dolls were made of rubber or latex, but now they’re usually made of PVC which is more flexible and resistant to damage.
They typically include a body with different accessories and parts. They might have a vagina, anus, mouth and penis used for sexual stimulation. Some modern blow up dolls have removable and vibrating accessories which can be interchangeable on various models.
They are usually used for solo masturbation but can also be used with partners.
History of blow up dolls
Blow up dolls were a natural evolution of sex dolls, which have been around at least since the 17th century. European sailors used the earliest known sex dolls for sexual relief during their voyages.
It's a common myth that Adolf Hitler invented blow up dolls. As the story goes, the Nazi leader arranged for the development of blow up dolls, which soldiers could deflate and store in their backpacks, to avoid catching syphilis from prostitutes. However, a lack of evidence saw this story debunked in the early 2000s.
Instead, we can trace the development of the first blow-up dolls back to 19th-century France. It’s unclear who invented the dolls, allegedly because no one wanted to attach their name to such a taboo item, but consumers could purchase them through French rubber goods catalogs.
Society was slow to embrace the dolls until the 20th century, when the rise of consumer culture encouraged people to spend money on items for pleasure. Their popularity in the United States began booming around 1968, when it became legal to sell sex aids via mail order. Blow up doll ads in pornographic magazines encouraged their readers to indulge. Improvements in plastic technology helped further the trend.
While once incredibly taboo, blow up dolls became mainstream items used for comedy props and gag gifts. Sex dolls have featured prominently in comedic films including 1989’s "The Misadventures of Mr. Wilt" and 1995 teen movie "Angus", and the 2020 comedy series "Dummy". More serious works focused on blow up dolls include the 2014 short film "Plastic" and 2010 Japanese movie "Air Doll".
Decline of blow up doll sales
Zach Zane, sex and relationships expert at Fun Factory, told Kinkly he believes the rise of online sex options, including free pornography, has led to a decline in blow up doll sales.
“Instead of having a blow-up doll and pretending she’s a real woman, you could watch real women have sex. With the internet, you could also now pay to watch private cam shows or to chat with real women (if you were looking more for the girlfriend experience).”
Sex dolls have also become more sophisticated and lifelike in recent years to create a more immersive, realistic experience for users. These products which look, feel, and sometimes act more like human partners have reduced demand for blow up dolls. The stigma around masturbating with a blow up doll may also turn some people off.
Today many people buy blow up dolls as novelty gifts for bachelor parties, milestone birthdays, and pranks, instead of purchasing them for personal use.
However, sales aren’t falling everywhere. Research from Brazil found blow up doll sales from the nation’s sex shops increased by 90 percent during 2020.
Why some people love blow up dolls
Blow up dolls can be appealing for simple sexual gratification. Users can focus solely on their sexual needs, rather than considering another person. Unlike human partners, blow up dolls never demand anything from their users. They don’t have their own sexual desires and they don’t complain about sex being too short or too long. They also don’t have the potential to cause emotional hurt as human partners can.
Blow up dolls can also be an enticing option for people who have barriers to intimacy with human partners.
“When blow up dolls were first advertised as ‘rubber women’ this appealed to men who wanted to have sex with a woman but could not,” Tim Lagman, a certified sex educator, told Kinkly. “That appeal still exists to this day for consumers who do not wish to engage in sexual activity with another person or simply cannot readily access sex.”
Since blow up dolls are a similar size and shape to human partners, they can be a more appealing sexual outlet than some other sex toys.
“Most sex toys don’t include a person’s entire body or face. A Fleshlight, for example, is just a vulva,” Zane explained. “With a blow-up doll, it’s easier to pretend that you’re having sex with a real person. There are men who also just enjoy having a blow-up sex doll to talk to; they can pretend they have a girlfriend.”
Blow up dolls can also help people explore their sexuality and fantasies. Some couples use blow up dolls during group sex role play. This may satisfy their interest in group sex in a safe environment or help them decide whether group sex with human partners is something they’re interested in.
Controversy surrounding blow up dolls
While some people see blow up dolls as harmless novelties or simple masturbatory aids, others are more critical. Some people claim they objectify and dehumanize women. Others claim they encourage users to seek sexual gratification without consent.
“This is a very understandable take as it can be seen as a slippery slope from simply playing with a doll to violating boundaries,” Lagman said. “Then there is the other argument that just because someone can do things to a doll, it does not mean they will do it to another person like how a violent video game is not necessarily going to drive the player to commit violent acts.”
“There are much larger societal factors that contribute to the objectification and dehumanization of women,” Zane added. “A lack of sex education and learning how to go about seeking consent properly (and enthusiastically) is a much larger issue in my mind. I think most men know that they shouldn’t interact with a real woman the same way they interact with their sex doll. If they don’t, I’m not sure the sex doll is to blame. Something else is likely going on here.”
Blow up doll safety
Blow up dolls are a relatively safe sexual aid. People can use them comfortably knowing there’s no risk of sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy unless they're shared. However, there are still some risks people should consider. Some blow up dolls can leach chemicals and irritate the skin, so it’s best to choose one made from a non-toxic, hypoallergenic material.
Lagman also encouraged users to “Be on the lookout for manufacturer defects such as holes or poor stitching especially in orifices where genitals can be inserted.”
Lubricants can enhance play with a blow up doll, but Zane said users should choose carefully.
“When using lubes, make sure you’re using lubes that are compatible with the material of the doll. Oil-based lubes can degrade certain types of plastic. Typically, water-based options are safer.”
Cleaning the doll thoroughly with mild soap and water before and after use can prevent a build-up of bodily fluids and the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria which could make users sick or cause infections. Keeping blow up dolls for personal use can prevent unwanted fluid exchange. Thorough cleaning with a sex toy cleaner can make sharing blow up dolls safer. Storing a blow up doll in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight can prolong its lifespan.
Synonyms: Love dolls, sex dolls.
