Reading erotic literature was an extensive social activity in eighteenth century, according to a new study. A Ph. D. candidate at the University of Leeds conducted the study. The study rejected findings of previous studies which suggested that erotic texts were read in solitude, saying that the erotic texts were read aloud everywhere from alehouses to coffee shops.

A 38-year-old Chris Donald, a British mechanic by profession, claims that he likes to have sex with cars. He has had sex with more than 30 different car models, two boats and a jet ski in the last 20 years. "A nice car. . . is a feast for the senses. It's about smells, feelings and tastes. If I see a gorgeous Mercedes I know I'd love to jump into bed with it," Chris told to The Sun newspaper.

Dutch cabinet maker Mario Phippona's latest design of erotic furniture are on display at a top German art gallery, Amadeus Art in Berlin. The designs offer a wide range of wooden cupboards, wardrobes and tables inspired by the female anatomy. One of the items on display is a fruit bowl called "TittyFuity," which is decorated with realistically shaped, life-size wooden breasts.

The lascivious exploits of ancient Pompeii's citizens are nearly unrivaled in history. This Thursday, a piece of that history in the form of a 2,000-year-old brothel elaborately decorated with erotic images was reopened to the public after an extensive restoration project. The brothel, called the Lupanare, derived from the Latin word "lupa," or "prostitute," required a year long restoration project costing over $250,000. The money was spent to restore the structure of the brothel and to clean and rework many of its erotic frescoes.

A Detroit judge ordered a man with a fetish for mannequins to undergo a psychiatric evaluation on Thursday to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial for breaking into a local cleaning supply company and kidnapping a mannequin dressed in a French maid's uniform. This is the sixth such offense for the man, police said. Detroit resident Ronald A. Dotson was arrested and jailed on October 9 less than three weeks after getting out of jail for the same crime. His fetish for mannequins over the past 13 years, police report, has lead him in and out of jail at least a half dozen times on breaking and entering charges.