Dr. Matilda Brindle (University College London, Department of Anthropology) and her team compiled the largest dataset on primate masturbation.

Their research suggests that masturbation has deep evolutionary roots, likely present in the common ancestor of all monkeys and apes—including humans.

In short, masturbation is instinctive among primates, and tools like masturbators have long been widely used to enhance the experience.

Let’s take a closer look at the history and modern technological evolution of male masturbators.

I. The History of Masturbation Tools

Depictions of male masturbation have been found in prehistoric rock art across the world. Ancient civilizations often linked sexual acts with nature and fertility.

In ancient Egypt, masturbation held even greater symbolic meaning. It was seen as a creative and magical act when performed by the gods. The creator god Atum, for instance, was believed to have brought the universe into existence through ejaculation during masturbation.

 Around 3000 BCE, early depictions of dildos also appeared in Egyptian art.

During the Age of Exploration, young male sailors found it difficult to suppress their sexual urges on long sea voyages. Driven by need and ingenuity, they stitched together leather dolls stuffed with cotton or other soft materials, and affectionately named them “travel ladies”—arguably the earliest form of inflatable sex dolls.

This need wasn't limited to sailors. Soldiers, too, required outlets. During World War II, Nazi Germany reportedly developed artificial masturbatory devices to reduce the spread of disease and prevent sexual incidents among troops.

In Edo-period Japan, a monk crafted an early sex aid using a wooden shell lined with feathers, lubricated with natto and yam paste—demonstrating how human creativity shaped these intimate tools even in ancient times.

II. The Emergence of the Modern Male Masturbator

From leather dolls to wooden sleeves, male masturbators existed in various forms through history, but mass awareness began in the 20th century.

Germany played a major role in advancing what would later become the modern "fleshlight" industry. During the war, the spread of syphilis from prostitutes forced many Nazi soldiers off the front lines.

To prevent the spread of venereal diseases among troops, Germany took innovation further. To prevent troops from contracting STDs from prostitutes, German engineers began developing safer, reusable masturbation devices using more advanced materials.

Later on, with the rise of Japan’s adult video and anime industries, male masturbators began to evolve rapidly. Products inspired by anime, including themes like “Pocket Monsters” and schoolgirl characters, were released.

Iconic "pocket monster" series and anime-themed sleeves helped popularize male masturbators as a mainstream product.

III. Material Evolution & Technological Breakthroughs

In ancient times, materials like ivory, stone, and bone were common.

But a major shift happened in the 1930s, when synthetic rubber began to spread due to advances in chemical engineering, accelerated by WWII.

By the 1950s, affordable synthetic materials led to the rise of rubber-based sleeves. However, mimicking the feel of real anatomy remained a technical challenge.

1950s
Affordable synthetic rubber began to gain popularity around the world, accelerating the development of male sex toys. During this period, manufacturers transitioned from natural rubber to softer resin-based materials.

1980s
A major innovation occurred when electric motors were introduced into male masturbators, creating vibration-based stimulation.

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1990s
When a Japanese company launched a series of masturbators called “Sailor Uniform,” the male sex toy industry in Japan stepped into the 2D world. These products featured packaging adorned with illustrations of young girls in sailor-style school uniforms.

Though the illustrations were quite simple, the series was surprisingly popular and gave manufacturers their first taste of the potential of 2D-themed adult products.

In recent years, VR technology has grown rapidly, with a variety of VR devices now available on the market. Thanks to the efforts of major male sex toy manufacturers, Japan held its first Adult VR Expo in Osaka in 2017—and the event was wildly successful.

The combination of visual and tactile stimulation has now become the central theme in the evolution of male masturbators.

Today, male masturbators are not only electric—they’ve evolved into intelligent devices that synchronize with immersive visual content. 

Male Maturbators are capable of autonomous movements such as contraction and pulsation, and some models even feature responsive technology that adjusts stimulation in real-time based on the user’s reactions. 

His marks a true breakthrough in human-machine interaction, bringing personalized pleasure to an entirely new level.

It's clear that the evolution of male masturbators has gone hand-in-hand with shifts in cultural openness, advances in technology, and improvements in quality of life.

So, never underestimate a man who uses one—he’s simply embracing comfort, innovation, and self-awareness.

If you’ve read this far and are thinking about trying one but aren’t sure where to start, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Male Masturbator and find the perfect fit for you.