Outside of these examples (and a 19th-century Chinese painting that shows a woman using a dildo strapped to her shoe), we’re kind of in the dark about our ancestors’ attitudes toward strap-on sex. We don’t want future generations to suffer the same misfortune, so let’s talk about where we’re at with strap-on dildos these days. (Get more background in A Long, Strange Trip Through Dildo History.)
In the Now…
Although the basic idea behind dildos hasn’t changed too much, we’ve made some substantial upgrades to our strap-on play. First off, we traded in stone dildos for ones made with body-safe, easy-to-clean materials. Mostly, we stick with non-toxic, medical-grade silicone, but on occasion we experiment with glass, metal, and even wood. (Get more info about what kinds of materials are best for your sensitive bits in Sex Toy Safety: A Guide to Materials.) These days, dildos come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so that everybody can find their perfect fit. As for the methods by which these dildos actually get strapped on, well, we’re still applauding the ancient Greeks for their ingenuity. Leather (or vegan leather) continues to be the material of choice for strap-on harnesses.
How else have we modified our strap-on play? We've added technology, of course. Whereas wearers of strap-ons used to experience primarily psychological pleasure, with the addition of vibrators to the dildo harnesses, wearers can now feel heightened physical pleasure as well. Wearers can turn their vibrators on to stimulate themselves while using the strap-on dildo to stimulate their partner. With all these additions and upgrades, it’s like we took the satisfactory strap-on sex of our foremothers and dialed it up to an 11. It’s awesome! And it’s about to become even awesomer. (Afraid to strap one on? Read 7 Big, Fat Misconceptions About Strap Ons.)
