For decades you couldn't find much deviation in the sex toy world (deviants, yes, design deviation, no). Every time you walked into an adult store you'd encounter boxes of faux phalluses, decked out in putrid fleshtones and cheap vinyl. But in the last ten to fifteen years, vibrators especially have reached Martha Stewart-like levels of tastefulness. Visit any sex toy store online or in person and you'll see an amazing variety of colors, textures, sizes and speeds. Here's a recap of some of the most noteworthy innovations, along with links to some toys available at Libida.com.

Microchips
It didn't take long for the adult industry to co-opt that-tiny-but mighty microchip. Just as microchips made computers smaller, faster and more versatile, so have they done for vibrators.
Some vibrators come with push-button controls that let you program in the desired speed, pulse, rhythm or rotation of the toy. You'll also find more powerful toys, remote-controlled toys, and vibrators with no battery packs.

Pulsonic Bullet
This multi-tasking vibrator offers three modes of stimulation: a continuous vibration, a rhythmic throb and a blended pulse. For those who like variety in their vibration there are endless combinations at your fingertips with the easy-touch controls.

Pulsating G
This jewel-like jelly vibrator has a soft flexible tip angled directly for G spot stimulation. Seven speeds, including pulsating, surging, escalating, and three vibrating intensities, allow any woman to match the vibrator to the rhythms of her body.

Watch Batteries
Vibrators have always been rather bulky because they housed a battery pack large enough for AA or C batteries. One ingenious inventor discovered that a watch battery could provide ample power and fit into a much smaller toy. Voila, the ever popular fingertip vibe, the Fukuoku was born. Other toys are following suit; their most notable characteristics are self-contained battery packs and tiny sizes.

Fukuoku
A tiny vibe that slips right over your fingertip. Perfect when you want skin-to-skin contact with an extra buzz on youthe clit or penis. It's also a great vibrator to use in intercourse positions like rear entry and side-by-side, as he can slip it on and easily reach around and vibrate your clitoris.

Wild Blue Yonder
This wireless, vibrating penis ring is made of super stretchy silicone jelly. The ring fits snuggly onto the penis shaft and sports little jelly fingers that massage the clit during intercourse. A self-contained tiny battery pack means your hands are free to seek other pleasures.

Vibration intensity
The typical adult toy runs on a couple of batteries. The vibrations are steady with minimal variance between low and high. When electric vibrators hit the scene, the intensity, speed and movement of the vibrations changed. It's certainly not a new technology, but one that has been clandestinely been co-opted for sexual purposes.

Massagers
Their manufacturers don't advertise their "massagers" as sex toy but Hitachi and Wahl make two of the most popular vibrators on the market. The Hitachi appeals to women who want a powerful vibration spread out over the vulva, while models like the Wahl, operating on a coil-type mechanism, offer a super-focused, more intense vibration.

Eroscillator 2 Plus
An electric vibrator that looks and vibrates a lot like an electric toothbrush, this model bears the distinction of being endorsed by Dr. Ruth. This light-weight, noiseless vibrator "oscillates" back and forth for a more sensual buzz.

Waterproof
The first waterproof vibe debuted less than ten years ago, and now many of the most popular battery toys also come in waterproof versions. It makes good erotic sense--consider the endless possibilities for sex in the tub, the shower, the pool, the hot tub, the lake, the ocean, etc. On top of that, they're a snap to clean up.

Jolie
The latest design by Candida Royalle, the creator of the popular Ultime vibrator and successful adult filmmaker. It's small, waterproof, battery-operated, and packs a whopping vibration. The attractive color and tiny size make it an ideal choice for those who want a discreet, portable toy.

Water Willy
Libida's most popular waterproof vibrator feels great when used on either your clitoris or when inserted vaginally. Turn your daily bath or shower into an aquatic adventure!

New Materials
Vibrator lovers used to make do with rubber, vinyl or hard plastic as the base material for sex toys. Then came silicone, a supple material that retains body heat and is easy to clean, which resulted in a higher caliber of toys. The most recent breakthrough in sex toy material, however, is cyberskin, which is remarkably lifelike. It looks and feels a lot like real skin, and also warms quickly.

Feeldoe
The latest silicone masterpiece to hit the planet, this double-ended dildo is specifically structured and weighted to allow one partner to insert the bulbous end into the vagina or anus while penetrating the second partner without the hassle of having to hold it in place, or using a harness.

Fleshlight
If cyberskin feels so great, it's only natural it's an ideal material to line a penis sleeve. Men who use this toy rave about how close to the real thing it feels!

Lush Bunny
This pink rabbit is made of soft, super-stretchy cyberskin and is one of the most practical toys to come out in years. Slip it over an erect penis and position the bunny outward so it vibrates the clit during vaginal intercourse. The ring fits snuggly on the penis and vibrates the shaft and testicles. There's no battery pack attachment, so you can wear the toy and move with ease. When you want a cock ring without the buzz, simply remove the vibrator.

Cyber-extender
This soft cyberskin extender fits tightly over the penis to give him a luxurious feel while giving her three inches of extra length and another half an inch in girth. A full 8" long, but it can be easily trimmed down to a customized fit.


Return to Sexcapades Menu

Anne Semans is the co-author of The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex
copyright 2003. Anne Semans

Artwork: "Habitacion de Senorita" Artist Mirtha Bermegui
Available at World Art Erotica