The Real History of Sex Dolls

The Real History of Sex Dolls

The origins of the modern sex doll are shrouded in myth.


Some say they came from crafty sailors in the 18th century, a long way from home and in need of, ahem, company.


In today's episode, Kate is joined by Bo Ruberg, author of Sex Dolls At Sea: Imagined Histories of Sexual Technologies to uncover the truth.


How were early sex dolls used to smuggle booze into Paris? What do the sex doll myths reveal about ourselves? And why is there such stigma around them compared to other sex toys?


This episode was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.


Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code BETWIXT sign up at https://historyhit/subscription/


You can take part in our listener survey here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Avsnitt(400)

What Happened On A Medieval Wedding Night?

What Happened On A Medieval Wedding Night?

We've been tying the knot for thousands of years in one way or another, but what did a medieval wedding look like?The church had very strict ideas around monogamy and sex in this period, which affecte...

22 Apr 202543min

History's Worst F*ckboys: Casanova

History's Worst F*ckboys: Casanova

Can you imagine being SO smooth-talking and seductive your surname becomes an actual noun in the dictionary to describe someone who has a reputation for being an expert at in the sack?Well today we’re...

17 Apr 202528min

Nell Gwyn: Celebrity Mistress of King Charles II

Nell Gwyn: Celebrity Mistress of King Charles II

How did a working class illiterate woman become King Charles II's favourite mistress?Nell Gwyn was an incredibly talented comedy actor who came from a working class background, and was part of a group...

15 Apr 202543min

History's Worst F*ckboys: Emperor Caligula

History's Worst F*ckboys: Emperor Caligula

Have you ever heard of the Emperor who made his horse a senator? Seems like a top bloke, right? Today on Betwixt the Sheets we’re going to meet (possibly) the most debauched Roman Emperor.From stealin...

10 Apr 202546min

Hysterectomies: 2000 Years of Care & Coercion

Hysterectomies: 2000 Years of Care & Coercion

Today, it is one of the most commonly performed surgeries. But when was the hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus, first performed? How has this procedure interacted with ideas such as femininity an...

8 Apr 202548min

History's Worst F*ckboys: Lord Byron

History's Worst F*ckboys: Lord Byron

How 'mad, bad and dangerous to know' was Lord Byron really?We know the Romantic poet had a bit of a reputation, but how true was it? And how unusual would his behaviour have been?In the first episode ...

4 Apr 202543min

The Horrible History of Gonorrhoea

The Horrible History of Gonorrhoea

Possibly the first recorded sexually transmitted disease, gonorrhoea is still one of the most common.We're back on the itchier side of history today to find out more about the story of this difficult-...

1 Apr 202531min

Real Wives of Dictators | Jiang Qing, Chairman Mao's Wife

Real Wives of Dictators | Jiang Qing, Chairman Mao's Wife

For better or (mostly) worse, Jiang Qing left her mark on the 20th century.Even before she was married to Chairman Mao, Jiang was a charismatic actor, and her passion for culture helped her spearhead ...

28 Mars 202543min

Populärt inom Historia

motiv
kod-katastrof
massmordarpodden
historiska-brott
p3-historia
olosta-mord
historiepodden-se
rss-brottsligt
rss-massmordarpodden
historianu-med-urban-lindstedt
rss-seriemordarpodden
konspirationsteorier
palmemordet
militarhistoriepodden
rss-arkiv-stieg
krigshistoriepodden
nu-blir-det-historia
rss-historien-om
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
bedragare