- Flagellantismus als literarisches Motiv
Der Flagellantismus als literarisches Motiv (Flagellantism as a Literary Motif) is a pioneering, multi‑volume study by German author, occultist, and early sexologist Ernst Schertel (1884‑1958). Issued in four volumes between 1929 and 1932 by Schertel’s own Parthenon Verlag in Leipzig. The work stands as one of the most thorough early scholarly investigations of flagellation, specifically the erotic excitement generated by whipping or being whipped, as a recurring theme …
- Man Ray
Man Ray was actively photographing from 1918 until shortly before his death in 1976, spanning nearly 60 years. He began seriously in 1918 by documenting his own artwork in New York, innovated with rayographs in 1922 after moving to Paris, and produced his most iconic Surrealist and experimental works (including bondage-themed series) in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He continued commercial portraiture, fashion photography, and experiments through the 1940s–1970s in Hollywood and back in Paris, though his peak creative output was in the interwar period (1920s–1930s).
- History of Sex Machines
The history of artificial sexual aids dates back to prehistoric times, with the oldest dildos found in Germany. Ancient Greeks and Romans used phallic objects, while the first true sex machines emerged in the 18th century, disguised as medical devices for treating "hysteria." Vibrators began with steam-powered models like The Manipulator in 1880, leading to electric versions by the early 1900s. Today, historical devices are preserved in museums, reflecting their evolution.
- Rumi Kasuga
Rumi Kasuga, born in 1930 in Osaka, became a pioneering figure in the post-war Japanese SM scene. Debuting in Kitan Club in 1954, she was known for her commanding dominance and skill in bondage. Kasuga also owned a bar in the gay SM scene and authored influential articles, solidifying her legacy.
- Kiss my Fanny
The "Kiss my Fanny" tradition in pétanque involves losers of a 13-0 match playfully kissing the buttocks of a symbolic figure named Fanny—a light-hearted ritual of humiliation rooted in French boules culture. Originating from 19th-20th century legends of a kind waitress offering consolation, it features statues, paintings, and figurines in clubs across France.