Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

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 <a href="https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262543675/sex-dolls-at-sea/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sex Dolls At Sea: Imagined Histories of Sexual Technologies</a> 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 <a href="https://historyhit/subscription/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://historyhit/subscription/</a>  You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Join sex historian Kate Lister on Betwixt the Sheets as she gets intimate with the stories that would make your history teacher blush. What were the Victorians really like behind closed (bedroom) doors? How did the Black Death favour women in medieval England? And what was Caesar like in the sack?  She'll be bed-hopping around different time periods; from ancient civilisations, to the middle ages, to renaissance and early modern...right up to now. You’ll laugh, you’ll wince, and you’ll ask yourself how much has actually changed. So join Kate Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal &amp; Society - a podcast from History Hit.