The journey of pornography through time is intricate and spans many eras. What is clear is that humans have been generating sexually explicit material for a vast amount of time. The term “pornography” emerged in Europe during the mid-1800s, but the creation of explicit content predates this by millennia. This begs the question: who can be credited with inventing pornography? While a definitive answer remains elusive, we can examine the historical path and the key individuals who propelled its evolution.
Early Expressions: The Forerunners of Visual Pornography
The most rudimentary forms of pornography can be traced back to ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome. They used basic drawings and sculptures to articulate sexual desires. Although the word “pornography” was yet to be coined, diverse cultures of this era offer examples of art depicting sexually explicit scenes.
During the Renaissance, Etienne Dumais is regarded as the first individual to commercialize visual pornography. His famous “mobile booklets” featured illustrations of explicit acts and coarse language. Dumais’ work was profoundly impactful, sparking numerous imitations and resulting in the widespread creation of similar publications.
The Underground Distributors: Mass Marketing Pornography
The 1857 trial of British publisher Charles Rembard was significant in establishing obscenity as a punishable offense. Despite this, the industry continued to grow and expand. During the 1920s and 1930s, bootleggers became crucial players in the mass distribution of explicit materials, often using deceptive tactics to make it more palatable to society. The sexual revolution of the 1960s saw a mainstream acceptance of pornography, paving the way for the modern industry.
Key Figures in Shaping the Industry
A significant pioneer in contemporary pornography was Peter Johnson, an actor, producer, and director. He partnered with Louis B. Mayer to produce a series of successful pornographic films in the late 1950s. Johnson is also credited with being among the first to introduce film scores and soundtracks to this genre.
The 1970s witnessed an explosion of pornographic magazines and film studios, such as Playgirl magazine and the VCA Pictures production company in San Francisco. The success of these businesses solidified the foundation of the extensive industry we know today.
The Digital Revolution: The Dawn of Online Pornography
The internet spurred a more permissive stance on pornography, with websites providing access to explicit material becoming commonplace. The arrival of streaming services in the late 1990s and early 2000s enabled easy access to a vast library of content. Since then, consumption has increased dramatically. Today, digital pornography represents the largest share of total consumption.
In Conclusion
Pinpointing the invention of pornography to a single person or movement is impossible. Its creation has been an ongoing process throughout history. Individuals like Etienne Dumais played a vital role in developing its visual forms, while bootleggers broadened its consumption, and contemporary pioneers like Peter Johnson and Louis B. Mayer were crucial in establishing the modern industry. The digital era has widened the reach and made it more accessible to a much larger audience.
Ultimately, no single individual “invented” pornography. Its history has been shaped by various figures and movements, a collective effort that has brought us to the current landscape.
