Sex Toys: Past, Present, & Future

Shopping for a sex toy these days is a daunting task. From gold-plated dildos to laser-powered vibes to strange, alien-like creatures to cute, little teddy bears, the choices seem to be endless.

Of course, with the advent of 3D printing, your bedroom accessories need only be limited by your imagination; designing your own toy has never been easier. And, as technology improves, the process is expected to become even more simple (and affordable), with materials such as ceramics and silicone replacing the plastic of today's offerings.

But, what will this mean for the sex toy industry? Is the era of super-personalized dildos and vibrators really upon us — and will there be room for LELO & Co.?

Illustrator Rosie Garner took on this very question in a nifty infographic for sex toy site Pink Rocket. The image explores the sex toy industry's history in order to understand its future, especially in relationship to the world economy and technological innovation. It's a fascinating look at what is evidently a changing landscape — whether or not you're planning on taking the plunge into the thoroughly wacky world of 3D-printed pleasure.