What is a Dildo?
There is some general disagreement about what precisely defines a dildo. There is general agreement that a nonvibrating device, resembling the 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. Dildos come in various sizes. Some people pay a greater sum for longer, thicker, and wider dildos to challenge their anus or vaginal area, despite their potential danger.
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.
PVC and jelly-rubber toys have often been found to be problematic because they contain unsafe phthalates, softeners added to many plastics that are also found in some jewelry, food containers, and other soft rubber toys. Phthalates have been linked to health problems such as cancer and prenatal defects. Products made of PVC or jelly rubber cannot be sterilized. Manufacturers recommend using condoms with these toys if users share them.
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 plasticy 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. (Betty Dodson's "barbell" is an example.)
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 or borosilicate glass, although this may vary depending on manufacturer. Like steel, glass toys may be used to apply firmer pressure than silicone can to a female's G-spot (urethral sponge) or male's prostate gland.
Cyberskin is a synthetic material made to look and feel like human skin. Many feel that Cyberskin does feel quite realistic. It is a porous material and cannot be sterilized. It often gets sticky after washing (which can be remedied by a dusting of cornstarch) and is much more delicate and prone to rips and tears than silicone dildos. "Packing dildos", which are not designed for penetration, are often made of this material.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dildo
There is some general disagreement about what precisely defines a dildo. There is general agreement that a nonvibrating device, resembling the 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. Dildos come in various sizes. Some people pay a greater sum for longer, thicker, and wider dildos to challenge their anus or vaginal area, despite their potential danger.
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.
PVC and jelly-rubber toys have often been found to be problematic because they contain unsafe phthalates, softeners added to many plastics that are also found in some jewelry, food containers, and other soft rubber toys. Phthalates have been linked to health problems such as cancer and prenatal defects. Products made of PVC or jelly rubber cannot be sterilized. Manufacturers recommend using condoms with these toys if users share them.
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 plasticy 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. (Betty Dodson's "barbell" is an example.)
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 or borosilicate glass, although this may vary depending on manufacturer. Like steel, glass toys may be used to apply firmer pressure than silicone can to a female's G-spot (urethral sponge) or male's prostate gland.
Cyberskin is a synthetic material made to look and feel like human skin. Many feel that Cyberskin does feel quite realistic. It is a porous material and cannot be sterilized. It often gets sticky after washing (which can be remedied by a dusting of cornstarch) and is much more delicate and prone to rips and tears than silicone dildos. "Packing dildos", which are not designed for penetration, are often made of this material.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dildo