logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
42m 10s

Did Ancient People Have Sex Toys?

History Hit
About this episode

Dating back some 30,000 years, sex toys have a long (no pun intended) and fascinating history.


What were the earliest sex toys like? How did technology change them? And did Victorian doctors really prescribing them for back pain?


In today's episode, we're revisiting an episode where Kate was joined by writer, sex and gender historian Hallie Lieberman to discuss the first dildo, the myth of the vibrator, and more.


Find out more about Hallie's book, Buzz: The Stimulating History of the Sex Toy, here.


This episode was produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Seyi Adaobi.


All music from Epidemic Sounds/All3 Media.


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  


You can take part in our listener survey here.


Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

Up next
Jul 15
Sex Lives of the Roman Legion
As the Roman Empire grew, so did the importance of its army - the Roman Legion.But what was life on the march like? What happened on the encampments after dark? And why couldn't eunuchs join the Roman legion?!Joining Kate today to tell her all about this battle-hardened rabble, i ... Show More
45m 48s
Jul 11
Royal Sex: Marie Antoinette
Behind the wild accusations of extra-marital affairs and a lavish lifestyle, who was the real Marie Antoinette? Why did her marriage to King Louis XVI go unconsummated for 7 years? And why did her life of luxury end in tragedy amidst the French Revolution?Joining Kate today for t ... Show More
54m 21s
Jul 8
The Power of Medieval Gossip
People have always gossiped, but what did they gossip about in medieval times? How were women punished for gossiping? And where does the term 'gossip' come from?Joining Kate today to gossip about all things medieval gossip is the wonderful Eleanor Janega, co-host of our sister po ... Show More
34m 25s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
Featuring: Betwixt the Sheets Podcast
This taster episode is taken from the Betwixt the Sheets podcast, created by our friends over at History Hit. Betwixt the Sheets looks into the history of sex, scandal and the weirdest, most fascinating areas of society - from the history of cosmetic surgery, to the Profumo Affai ... Show More
55m 10s
Mar 2025
Aphra Behn: Revolutionary, Author, Spy
Aphra Behn was a true original. Not only was she the first woman to earn a living by writing, she was also a spy, a political propagandist and a revolutionary. Publicly she was all brash sexuality and outspoken politics, but what is known about the woman beneath? Professor Suzann ... Show More
40m 26s
Jul 15
Childbirth in Medieval Times with Kate Lister
This episode contains explicit language and graphic descriptions of birthToday we're delving into historical childbirth's stark realities, facing the medieval attitudes toward childbirth, its dangers, and grizzly details. Dr. Eleanor Janega pays a visit to our sister podcast Betw ... Show More
37m 8s
Jun 23
Shakespeare's Family: New Discoveries
Did the women in Shakespeare’s life—his wife, sister, and daughters—shape his story more than we realise? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Matthew Steggle to hear how new digital tools and rediscovered manuscripts uncover surprising evidence about Shakespeare’s family ... Show More
40m 48s
Dec 2024
How Old is America?
When fossils were discovered in the US during the 19th Century, it altered American understandings of science, religion, race and more. So what was the Hadrosaurus Foulkii, and why did it have such an enormous effect? Caroline Winterer, William Robertson Coe Professor of History ... Show More
27m 55s
Dec 2024
Origins of the Wheel
It is one of the most pivotal inventions in human history - the wheel. New research suggests that the wheel was first created by prehistoric miners in the Carpathian Mountains to transport copper. Tristan Hughes speaks to the team behind this fascinating theory; archaeologist Dr ... Show More
52m 10s
Aug 2024
Conversations: Women Are Wet & Spongy, the History of the Female Body w/ Prof Helen King
Liv speaks with Professor Helen King about her new book Immaculate Forms, and the history of the female body. From the ancient world (women were wet and spongy) to the more modern (Man Discovers Clitoris). Plus, Artemis and periods.CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. ... Show More
1h 30m
Mar 2025
The Myth of Aspasia, Woman, Politician, Philosopher, Wh*re
Aspasia was an intelligent, independent and influential woman at the heart of Classical Athenian politics. She was also a sex worker. This is the instagram reel this episode is 'responding' to. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes ... Show More
39m 44s
Mar 2025
Murderous Women
**This podcast contains graphic descriptions of murders and the punishments of those convicted** Gruesome murders carried out by women captivated the public imagination in Early Modern Britain. Pamphlets, ballads, and woodcuts spread the stories of traitorous wives, cunning poiso ... Show More
53m 26s
Mar 2025
The Servants' Revenge: Arsenic & a Poisoned Pint of Beer
Why did two servants living in Plymouth, England, poison their whole household in 1675? How did they sneak arsenic into the food? And what on earth is pottage? Today Maddy Pelling and Anthony Delaney talk to Dr Blessin Adams, author of "Thou Savage Woman: female killers in early ... Show More
51m 51s