{
  "id": 15148492,
  "title": "Lord of the Rings: The surprisingly long, bizarre history of the cock ring",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/lord-of-the-rings-the-surprisingly-long-bizarre-history-of-the-cock",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T07:24:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/saturday-star/opinion/2026-10-17-lord-of-the-rings-the-surprisingly-long-bizarre-history-of-the-cock-ring/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The cock ring, a simple yet ingenious bedroom accessory, has a surprisingly long and bizarre history. Despite its common name, this device has remained popular for over two decades, even before the era of app-enabled, remote-controlled, and silicone toys. The vibrating version, known as a VCR, remains a top seller.\n\nOriginally, the concept emerged from 12th-century China, when wealthy emperors and aristocrats used dried goat eyelids to restrict blood flow and maintain erections. The eyelids, lashed around the shaft with eyelashes, provided the necessary elasticity and external stimulation. While replicas of this \"goat-eyelid ring\" can still be found online today, the idea of using animal products for such purposes raises ethical concerns.\n\nSimple constriction technology was likely invented independently across various ancient civilizations. Archaeological finds, such as Greek statues and Bronze Age gold C-shaped objects, suggest that people recognized the potential of constriction bands for sexual purposes. However, these artifacts were often misinterpreted as dress fasteners or sleeve cuffs due to Victorian prejudices.\n\nModern materials like silicone and body-safe ABS plastic have made cock rings more comfortable than their animal-derived predecessors. Nevertheless, clinical safety guidelines remain strict. The 30-Minute Rule recommends wearing a constriction ring for no more than 20 to 30 minutes per session. Additionally, if the ring turns blue, it must be removed immediately. Never fall asleep with the ring on, as it can lead to priapism, tissue ischemia, or severe nerve damage. Prolonged tissue death may result in gangrene, a situation best avoided.\n\nFrom 12th-century goat eyelids to modern, app-controlled silicone rings, human ingenuity has consistently found ways to maintain sexual pressure. When exploring the variety of cock rings available on the Lola Montez website, it is essential to read the manual, respect the timer, and avoid using farm animals as materials.",
  "summary": "Let’s talk about the cock ring, a much loved, bedroom accessory whose name is perhaps the most aggressively straightforward name in the history of consumer goods.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}