The Ultimate Guide to Sex Dolls

1.1 A Brief History of Sex Doll

Sex has always been one of humanity’s strongest drives. The rise of sex dolls did not happen overnight. Instead, it reflects centuries of human desire, loneliness, creativity, and technological progress.

To truly understand modern sex dolls, it helps to look back at how they evolved. Below is a simplified timeline that shows how sex dolls gradually developed into what we see today.

16th Century – The Earliest Sex Dolls

The earliest known sex dolls appeared in the 16th century. Spanish sailors, isolated during long sea voyages, created crude female dolls out of sewn cloth to cope with loneliness.

These early dolls were known as “Dame de Voyage” in French and “Dama de Vinje” in Spanish. Later, Dutch traders brought similar dolls to Japan during the Rangaku period. This cultural exchange is believed to be the reason sex dolls are still referred to as “Dutch wives” in parts of Asia today.

1918 – Art, Obsession, and the First Life-Size Doll

In 1918, Austrian artist Oskar Kokoschka commissioned a life-size doll modeled after his former lover, Alma Mahler. The doll was created by German puppet maker Hermine Moos while Kokoschka was in Dresden.

However, the doll failed to meet his expectations. Dissatisfied, Kokoschka later destroyed it at a party. While not a commercial product, this moment marked an early attempt to create a realistic human-like figure for emotional and intimate purposes.

1930s – The Birth of Modern Sex Doll Design

During the 1930s, German surrealist artist Hans Bellmer created a series of increasingly realistic dolls. Often referred to as “the father of the modern sex doll,” Bellmer’s work pushed anatomical realism and mechanical structure forward.

His designs influenced future concepts of poseable joints and realistic body proportions, laying the groundwork for modern sex dolls.

1939–1945 – World War II Rumors

There are long-standing rumors that Nazi Germany developed sex dolls for soldiers during World War II. However, no reliable historical evidence confirms this claim. Today, most historians consider it a hoax rather than a documented fact.

1980s – The Inflatable Doll Era

By the 1980s, inflatable sex dolls became widely available in sex shops. These dolls were inexpensive and easy to produce, but they lacked durability and realism.

The inflatable material could not withstand repeated use, and seams often failed. As a result, these dolls were more commonly used as novelty or gag gifts rather than serious sexual companions.

1996 – The Rise of Realistic Silicone Sex Dolls

In the late 1990s, sex dolls made a major leap forward. Artist Matt McMullen began developing lifelike silicone female mannequins with poseable PVC skeletons and steel joints.

This innovation led to the creation of RealDoll, one of the world’s most well-known sex doll brands. These dolls introduced true realism, flexibility, and long-term usability, changing the industry forever.

2005 – Japan and the Commercial Expansion

In 2005, Japanese companies began renting high-quality silicone sex dolls, often referred to as Dutch wives. By the end of that year, more than 40 rental stores existed across Japan.

At the same time, the rise of the internet made it easier to purchase sex dolls from the United States and Japan. Online access helped accelerate the global growth of the sex doll market.

2007 – Early Interactive Features

In 2007, a Japanese company introduced the “Sexual Audio System.” This system added an MP3 player with pressure sensors inside the doll’s breasts.

During this period, detachable heads became common, and some dolls could even be implanted with real pubic hair, further improving realism and customization.

2009 – The First Male Sex Doll

In 2009, the first commercially known male sex doll was created in Germany. Named “Nax,” it reportedly cost around $10,000 and featured advanced functions such as an automatic erect penis and simulated ejaculation.

2010 – The First Chinese Sex Doll

In 2010, China produced its first sex doll under the DS Doll brand. This marked the beginning of China’s rapid rise in sex doll manufacturing.

2014 – TPE Material and Industry Expansion

In 2014, Chinese brand WM Dolls became the first to introduce TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) material into sex doll production.

TPE made dolls more affordable while also improving softness and realism. Soon after, many Chinese manufacturers emerged, including YL Doll, Dollhouse 168, 6YE Premium Doll, Irontech Doll, Doll4ever, and others.

Modern Era – Customization and Choice

Today, growing demand has driven rapid innovation in sex doll manufacturing, especially in China. Buyers can now customize skin tone, body shape, breast size, facial features, and many other details to match their personal preferences.

As technology continues to evolve, sex dolls are becoming more realistic, personalized, and accessible than ever before.