Who Invented Sex Dolls? The Borghild Story and Other Claims
The history of adult dolls is full of stories that are repeated online but are hard to verify. This short article separates the best-known claim, the "Borghild Project", from the better-documented story of the Bild Lilli doll, and explains how today's adult anime figures fit into that history.
The Borghild Project: an unverified story
According to the book Mussolini's Barber by Graeme Donald, and press reports based on it, Nazi Germany supposedly began a project in 1940 to make dolls for soldiers to reduce the spread of disease, before cancelling it in 1942. The book claims all records were destroyed in the bombing of Dresden.
The story has not been confirmed by independent historical documents and is widely regarded as unverified. It is best read as a curiosity rather than established history.
Bild Lilli and Barbie: a documented link
The same book retells a better-documented story: the German Bild Lilli doll of the 1950s, sold as a novelty for adults, was seen in Germany by Ruth Handler, who later created the Barbie doll in the United States.
Source: reprinted from an Indo-Asian News Service report (NDTV).
From novelty dolls to adult anime figures
Modern adult anime figures are a different category: character-inspired collectibles made for display and photography. The LORIBEAR series, for example, uses a platinum silicone body and a posable metal skeleton at about 62–80 cm tall. Read What is an NSFW figure? or compare materials in Silicone vs PVC vs Resin Figures.
LORIBEAR figures are adult collectibles for buyers aged 18 and over.
From early figures to modern NSFW collectibles
Adult figures have moved a long way from the improvised objects of the past. Today's collectible market is split between hard PVC or resin statues and soft silicone figures such as the LORIBEAR line, which pairs a platinum silicone body with a posable metal skeleton at a display scale of roughly 62–80 cm. Read our explainer what is an NSFW figure for how the categories differ.
Each LORIBEAR edition is limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide and is never re-released. Browse the current line-up in silicone anime figures, and see how to verify a genuine LORIBEAR before buying from any seller.