Top Moments in the History of Pornography
As one of the most controversial topics in history, pornography has come a very long way in its long and colorful history. From its origins in ancient cave paintings, to the current multi-billion dollar industry, there have been a lot of developments that have changed and shaped the landscape of the sexual entertainment industry over time. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top moments in the history of pornography that have played a critical role in making it the lucrative industry it is today.
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The First Pornographic Material:
The first known pornographic material dates as far back as 2800 BC when ancient cave paintings were discovered in France. These paintings are believed to be fertility symbols, and though they aren’t considered to be sexual in nature they are one of the earliest recorded instances of explicit sexual imagery. -
Rediscovery of the Kama Sutra:
In the first century BC, India created the Kama Sutra, one of the earliest works of explicit erotic literature. The Kama Sutra was largely forgotten until it was rediscovered by Europeans in the 1800s. Many of the sexual positions and practices contained within it are still popular today. -
Marquis de Sade Writes Justine:
In 1791, the Marquis de Sade wrote the novel “Justine,” which is widely regarded as the first ever pornographic novel. The novel contained many explicit passages, and shocked many when it was released. The Marquis de Sade was sentenced to jail for his work, but it was a major turning point for the genre of pornographic literature. -
Rise of the “Porno Chic” in Movies: In the 1960s and 70s there was a renewed interest in the pornographic genre and it started to become more accepted in mainstream culture. This new era of pornographic films was referred to as “Porno Chic,” and featured some of the most iconic films of all time, such as Deep Throat and Devil in Miss Jones.
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The Launch of the Internet:
The internet, of course, played a huge role in the development of the porn industry. With the ability to access videos more quickly and easily, people were able to access pornography with more convenience and discretion. This marked a major shift in the industry, and soon pornography was able to reach a much broader audience. -
Reemergence of Legal Issues Surrounding Porn:
The early 2000s saw the reemergence of legal issues surrounding pornography. With the advent of new technologies, including downloadable video, people were able to access and share explicit material with much more ease. This put pressure on governments to act, and many launched campaigns to crack down on the porn industry. -
Formation of the Free Speech Coalition:
In response to increasing pressure from the US government, the Free Speech Coalition was formed in 1994. The coalition is an advocacy organization that is dedicated to protecting the First Amendment rights of those participating in the adult entertainment industry. -
Launch of Pornhub:
Buggy and unreliable in its infancy, Pornhub has now become one of the world’s leading providers of adult content. Launched in 2007, Pornhub now has millions of users, and is responsible for a major chunk of the multi-billion dollar industry.
The history of pornography is long and fascinating, with many important moments that have shaped and changed the face of sexual entertainment. Whether for better or for worse, pornography has had a major impact on society, and has become a major industry in its own right. From its origins as ancient cave paintings to the modern multi-billion dollar industry, the history of pornography has always been controversial and interesting.