Inflatable dolls, or blow up dolls as they are also known, go back in history as a masturbation aid, originally for men. However, with the emancipation of women, male inflatable dolls gave hit the market too. They are a doll-like figure, made of various materials, and can have orifices and penile extensions, to be used as a masturbation aid for men, women and couples.

Inflatable dolls come in a range of quality and price. The lower end, or the beginning of the range, sees the introduction of the welded vinyl doll, bearing little resemblance to a real man or woman, but because of their price, are often the source of jokes for stag and hen parties etc. Typically, a blow up doll in this range of inflatable dolls will sell for no more than £50.00.

As you move up to the middle of the range inflatable dolls, they are made of a heavy latex material, and may have features such as: plastic mannequin like heads, giving a much more real life effect; artificial eyes; a wig (or hair implants); importantly no welds as in the cheaper range; and properly shaped hands and feet. Some of the better mid range inflatable dolls will also have “implants”, sometimes of water, to make a realistic affect in the buttocks and breast areas. Typically, the mid range of inflatable dolls will sell from £100 - £500.

For the connoisseur, the upper range of silicone dolls takes on a complete new meaning.  They are hand made using a soft skin-like silicone and, unlike the pre-packed inflatable dolls in the lower ends of the market, the customer can specify his or her requirements. For example, a male client may wish to have a petite doll with, say, blonde hair and blue eyes, with a tiny waist and a D-cup bust. Whatever a client’s wishes, that doll can be built. They can even build dolls based on a real life person, for example, if a male has a fantasy for a famous actress like, for example, Pamela Anderson, he can have a doll built to resemble her and realise his fantasy. However, this range of dolls does not come cheap! The higher end of dolls can reach prices from £3,000 - £10,000 depending on specification and materials used.

It is highly likely, that this market has expanded and matured, almost completely as a result of the internet. Lately, the market has seen the introduction of robotic dolls, featuring internal skeletons and robotic features for more lifelike activity and ease of dressing and undressing. As we move more into the future, they are likely to become more lifelike, with more features to emulate “real sex” with a masturbation aid. The industry has come a long way since the introduction of the first inflatable dolls.