Evolution of Stripping

9 min readJun 20, 2019

Strippers & Exotic Dancing 101

Art of stripping & seduction have always been coined to jezebels and hussies, and loved by philanders. Strippers and adult entertainment; They both get a bad rap but why? We love to hate sex workers and we idolize them at the same time. Where did these teasing women come from? Adult entertainment can be found dating all the way back to the stone ages. All Sex work starts somewhere. You hear about the siren in texts like the Odyssey and The Bible. A hypnotic striptease have men throwing money at tart women all over the world for centuries, but where did this form of erotic dancing start?

First, forms of strippers can be traced to Paleolithic cave paintings in the south of France. These painting date more than 20,000 years ago. In addition, archaeologists uncovered miniature statuettes of exotic dancers near the Black Sea regions of Bulgaria and Romania that date back to the Neolithic Era. The statues are estimated to be over 9000 years old. Exotic dancing was first designed to sexually stimulate the mind & soul. So a hot cock tease did exist within holy realm! Early forms of a striptease were seen as an ancient ritual; to gain the favor of the goddesses of fertility and motherhood in hopes of successful reproduction. In addition, Stripping and seducing helped to increase the fertility of crops.

The Tease Begins

Adult entertainers, draped in animal fur, performed slow exotic dances. They pose erotically as the animal fur slowly exposed the naked dancing and gyrating body. During the height of the Greek and Roman Empires, erotic and lewd strip teases were also performed by priestesses in sacred temples within the empire. Artwork shows female nude dancing. First, they would strip off different articles of their clothing all the way to complete nudity. Erotic dancers were usually chosen for their looks and vitality. They were your modern day heart breaker. Seducing movements were performed in honor of the Moon, the hunt, and the god of wine, among other ritualistic purposes & idols.

Strippers Started To Make A Profit

Fast forward to the 14th century, the beginning of erotic dancing in the Middle East was in the form of belly dancing. Not a thread of clothing was removed. Imagine that! Originally, belly dancing was meant to induce pleasure of a sexual nature. It eventually became customary for spectators to toss coins, valuables & money at the belly dancers. It should be noted, this becomes the first time a female or male dancer was paid for their strip show. Erotic dancing was also quite common in the temples in India. Adult performances were used as sacred rituals & practices among the people.

In the 18th century, sensuality and eroticism reigned all over Europe. Ladies of the court were paid to erotically entertain, flirt and seduce gentlemen during large celebrations or banquets. During this time, female courtesans popularized the hand fan. Fans placed over their faces only showing their seductive eyes, as a sensual prop. And, used to accent their titillating dance moves to make them look mysterious and exotic at times.

Burlesque Dancers Exploded

Erotic dancing exploded in Britain in the late 1800’s with the rise of British burlesque houses. Originally, burlesque performances and dance shows incorporated a complete act. This was a small combination of music, singing, humor, dance and sexual parody; women strip nude in a sensual manner were only part of the adult show. Not long after, the profitable and popular burlesque industry quickly discovers the main thing attracting the masses was sex.

Naturally, as time goes on burlesque shows began to focus mainly on suggestive erotic dancing. Obviously, routines turned raunchy would bring larger crowds. Sex sells! Burlesque dancers became more uninhibited and the acts became more risque.

Churches, religious groups and God fearing folk preached against these types of adult entertainment. Nevertheless, bad publicity seemed to only help the lewd and vulgar shows. Rumors only sheltered even more curiosity than ever before.

A Good Cock Tease

Above all, we mostly believe modern stripping first appeared in the late 1800’s. A new form of erotic dancing evolved out of nowhere into a dance known today as “the striptease.” The dance was a kinder, gradual, softer and more sensual way to strip nude to arouse and entice men. As the name suggests, the striptease implies a woman slowly undresses themselves. The seductress continues stripping layer by layer, and would flirt in a sexually suggestive manner. A good cock tease would reveal more and more of their skin, all the way down to pasties, a G-string or full nudity.

Drooling men typically would hoot, holler and howl in appreciation as each piece of the exotic dancer’s clothing would slowly hit the floor. Importantly, leading the men to spend more of their coin or even give up the shirt off their back just to see a little bit more. A natural teaser who could strip nude was making money off a man’s weakness. The art of seduction begins!

Eventually, throughout the 1800’s and early 1900’s, striptease influenced other forms of erotic dancing. One very sexual and provocative belly dance known as the “Hoochie Coochie” was introduced in Philadelphia. Shortly after, “the French Cancan” appeared in a cabaret in Paris. The Cancan spread fast to America and became very popular. Flocks of gentlemen would happily feast their eyes on this type of exotic dancing. This adult show would consist of dancers lifting up a leg to reveal their thighs, puffy slips, and panties. Moreover, this form of dirty dance became similar to a Vegas showgirl and their choreographed performances on stage.

Adult Entertainment At The Circus

In the 1920s, your great grandmother & grandfather might have been lucky enough to witness the new twist to the striptease. This adult performance came with the inclusion of pole dancing. Pole dancing originated at the height of The United States of America’s Great Depression. At these difficult times, traveling fairs traveled from town to town. They would entertain with many different types of side shows. These strange shows were usually held in tents.

In one of these side tents, seductive women would striptease on a small stage in front of cheering and happy men. The strippers then incorporated the “tent pole” into their striptease routine. This is the first appearance of a stripper’s pole. The adult show would entail teasers climbing to the top of the tent pole. Next, they would grab the pole and swirl around it. In addition, all while grinding and gyrating against the pole. Later, the tent pole became later known as the famous “dance pole.”

Strip Club Dancers

Mid 1950’s, pole dancing graduated from small circus tents to bars and clubs catering to this particular form of adult fun. Strippers began to incorporate sexy, elaborate and very intriguing costumes. Sequins, feathers and bling became part of the showmanship. Eventually, this form of pole dance starts the standard in most adult entertainment establishments all over the United States.

Stripping, slowly but surely, seeped into our everyday society. Exotic dancing became present in all major U.S. cities, and big within the American sex industry. Ultimately, strip shows and erotic dance became a staple that would stick around to this day. Strip clubs were frequently raided and shut down for clashing with local ordinances and decency laws. This was very similar to what occurred with alcohol during Prohibition back in the day. Even so, the U.S. Government and religious institutions couldn’t stop the onslaught of their popularity with American men.

However, news channels and churches all across the states had no chance of influencing where men chose to spend their adult rec time. Men enjoy nude dancers. As a result, the U.S. put in unique new zoning laws and restrictions. Following, strippers could interact with their customers in order to assist in regulating the strip club industry as a whole.

Pole Dance For All

In the 1960’s and 1970’s, the United States saw a steep rise strip club establishments. During the hippie era, society was going through a sexual revolution. Finally, a majority of people were becoming more accepting of nudity and sexuality. Adult entertainment and strippers would survive despite lots of public protest, strict city regulations and hateful public scrutiny.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s, nearly all strip clubs incorporated stripper poles on stage. This was in hopes to make pole dancing a normal thing. Eventually, once real talent formed, gentlemen’s club owners realized money was to be made with pole dance. Therefore, artistic pole dance and tricks are popular among strippers all over America.

Bump-and-Grinders

The lap dance (contact dancing) actually originated in Montreal Canada in the early 1990’s. Not long after, “lap dancing” made it’s way to the United States. Eventually, the lap dance became officially legal in the U.S. sometime in 1999.

Following, pole dancing techniques were turned into a legitimate form of exercise. Stripping and exotic dancing for the everyday women became a form of fitness. Today we call this pole fitness. As a result, non sex workers could learn how to put on an adult show. You didn’t have to be labeled a total cock tease.

Soon after, a National Pole Dancing Championship was created and has been since attempting to enter into the Olympics as a nationally recognized sport. Hence, it still hasn’t had sufficient luck.

Expose Yourself As A Seductress

Nowadays, in most strip clubs, adult entertainers wear string bikinis, tiny stripper outfits or G-strings. Whatever the attire, it usually doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Most striptease shows only happen in VIP these days. Some establishments won't even allow lap dances on the floor or for girls to undress out in the open. As a result, strip clubs in America consist of pole dance and twerking.

Strip clubs are still extremely popular but with the rise of the internet, stripper delivery services is the new hip thing of the future. This has been the preferred choice because strip clubs are money pits and the environment is typically raunchy. Who wouldn’t want a private seductress to disrobe in the privacy of your own home? From ancient ritual to modern-day adult entertainment, stripping and strippers have come a long way!

Atlanta Heart Breaker

Check out the Strip Clubs in Atlanta Directory, For all downtown strip club listings. If you wanna book me for your next bachelor party, guy’s night or birthday party, book me. Find out why I only tease at private parties and I don’t strip in a club in Atlanta.

Apply to be an exotic dancer with MC Entertainment & Services, A stripper booking agency in Atlanta. Nude dancing not your thing, but want to work in adult entertainment? Check out more opportunities for sex work here.