The history of the vibrator (This is so ridiculous!)

In the beginning

For many years it was held that various illnesses affecting women were due to ‘hysteria’ and that her uterus complained of neglect. In fact, it seems that Plato thought that the womb was “an animal within an animal” and that it had to be appeased if it got out of control.

Anything from tiredness, headaches, distraction, melancholy and insomnia, irregular breathing and confusion, was thought to be due to “hysteria.” Very sexual or passionate women were considered to be the most affected, as men obviously thought that was strange.

Therefore, there was little doubt in their minds that the cause of all their problems was sexual frustration and that they desired sexual liberation.

How was it cured?

You will never believe this!

A doctor or midwife had to manipulate the woman’s vulva, which in those days was thought to be part of the uterus. This manual massage continued until there were contractions and lubrication. This was often called “hysterical paroxysm” (now called orgasm).

Women would feel so much better after that! It’s hard to believe, but this form of manual massage until women had an orgasm seems to have been used as a treatment for sexual problems as early as 4-5 centuries.

Initially, the midwives took care of all the sexual and reproductive difficulties of the women. But soon modern medicine got involved, and doctors apparently took the treatment very seriously.

‘Hysteria’ was considered a prevalent disorder, second only to ‘fevers’, or the classic cold. It was also classified as a chronic disease that was incurable.

Single women with ‘hysteria’ were often urged to marry spirited husbands and then to make energetic and repeated lovemaking ensuring the women’s sexual liberation. Horse riding was also recommended!

After a while other therapies were also offered, including manipulation with a jet of water (the cold shower).

Orgasm generally occurred within a few minutes of such treatment. However, it became clear that several patients asked for more treatment than was “good for them.” It is not surprising that in the 19th century it was quite common for women to visit their doctor’s office repeatedly. After all, masturbation was still considered a sin, so what choice did they have?

Today’s vibrator was starting

A revolution for weary physicians came in 1869 when steam massage and vibratory equipment was patented for the treatment of female problems. It was designed for supervised use only, in case of misuse.

The motor was connected to the table and a patient placed her pelvis on top of the vibrating ball on the table.

It was considered a perfect invention, saving doctors a great deal of time and consequently allowing them to see more “patients.”

Most doctors had trouble treating patients with their own fingers, and this new device would be a godsend. They could complete in minutes, tasks that instead took up to an hour.

Other extraordinary techniques were also used, for example, vibrating tables powered by gasoline and air, rocking chairs, shaking chairs and many others.

The women didn’t realize it, of course, but they were getting their ‘therapy’ for the same reason women now use sexual aids: to ease sexual frustration.

What seems strange to us now is that it was considered normal for women in the Victorian era to go to their doctor for the sexual pleasure and relief they did not have at home.

Historian and author ‘Rachel Maines’ states that due to the fact that women were thought to only be able to obtain sexual pleasure through vaginal penetration, those peculiar ” remedies ” were not viewed as a sexual encounter.

Subsequently, since using them did not involve the vagina, it was not sexual contact, purely a medical procedure! In

the 16th century Gabriel Fallopius claimed to be the first person to discover the clitoris. “It is so hidden that I was the first to discover it, several years ago,” he proclaimed.

At the same time, however, it seems that ‘Pietro d’Abano’ was the only one who understood what the clitoris was for. He proclaimed: “Women are driven to desire … by rubbing the upper orifice near the pubis. The pleasure that can be obtained from this part of the body is comparable to that obtained from the tip of the penis.”

Despite this, both society and the medical profession continued to deny it for four hundred years! In fact, both gynecologists and sexologists continued to deny the clitoris and its purpose until the 1980s.

The next phase

About twenty years after the steam vibrator, a more versatile battery operated vibrator could be obtained.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the medical profession had at least two dozen different types of vibrators.

Soon, entrepreneurs saw the potential to produce vibrators and sell them directly to women. They were marketed as normal household appliances rather than for sexual use. They were touted in reputable publications as “helps every woman would appreciate.” In fact, these particular devices were only the fifth appliance behind the kettle, toaster, sewing machine, and fan.

Throughout the 1920s, early “naughty movies” and early pornography featured women using these “massagers” for sexual pleasure. But, as a result of this, in the 1930s they were no longer openly promoted and their medical use stopped.

Modern vibrators

Fortunately, the notion of hysteria as a disease was discarded in the 1950s.

Vibrator It became popular again during the 1960s and this time in all its sexual glory.

Masters and Johnson used vibrators in their research on sexuality in the late 1960s. Penis-shaped vibrators were beginning to be sold in sex stores, and mail order was becoming common.

Feminist author and sex therapist Betty Dodson began teaching masturbation workshops in 1971 and focused on the use of vibrators. It claims that it was the first to introduce electric vibrators exclusively for sexual use.

In 1974 Joani Blank published ‘Good Vibes’: The Complete Guide to Vibrators. Joani invented the ‘Venus Butterfly’ vibrator and in 1977 she opened ‘Good Vibrations’, the first sex shop dedicated entirely to the vibrator.

Today, women universally view their vibrator as part of their sexual freedom and independence.

Vibrators now come in all shapes and sizes and many women use them regularly to resolve their ‘hysteria’

Thank goodness for the 21st century!