Nomadic Wombs And Hysteria – The History Of Vibrators
Have you ever looked at something and wondered…”Who invented that? …and why?”
Well, I had one such moment just last week. At my friend’s Hen Party a bright purple vibrator was being passed around in a ‘pass the parcel’ type of game and when it landed in my lap among squeals and giggles – I squinted my eyes a little and thought, “I wonder who invented vibrators….and why!”
I have since discovered that the answer to ‘why’ is not as obvious as you might think and it is far more interesting than the answer to ‘who’!
Once upon a time, in 1883 to be exact, the vibrator was first patented as a medical device by a physician in the UK by the name of Joseph Mortimer Granville. Dr Granville invented this electromechanical contraption to relieve hysteria in women and by all accounts the device was bulky and not easily portable. Hysteria was thought to be the result of a lack of sexual intercourse in women. At the time, medical professionals believed that hysteria would cause inflammation of the uterus, which then “necessitated the expulsion of fluids to prevent it from wandering” from its anatomical ‘home’ and possibly suffocating the woman who ‘housed’ it.
Physicians believed that they had to coax the ‘nomadic’ womb back to its proper place with ‘massage treatments’ and records of hysteria and its ‘manipulation treatments’ date back as far as 2000 BC in Egypt…. so it appears that this had been going on for quite some centuries.
It appears also that the treatment was not commonly regarded as sexual and that doing it by hand was tiring work for the medical professional. Not surprisingly then, Dr Granville’s vibrating, motorised contraption was welcomed by many of his colleagues.
The huge potential market for hand-held vibrators as we know them today was first recognised by entrepreneurs with Hamilton Beach of Racine,USA who patented the first hand held vibrator in 1902. The vibrator was the fifth ‘electrical home appliance’ available, after the sewing machine but it came along (excuse the pun) well before the electric iron and the vacuum cleaner.
In the early 1900s women could use mail order to buy vibrating massagers from advertisements in publications such as Needlecraft and Womens Home Companion. Interestingly, one vibrator advertisement dated 1910 reads – “The secret of the ages has been discovered in vibration. Great scientists tell us that we owe not only our health but even our life strength to this wonderful force. Vibration promotes life and vigour, strength and beauty. … vibrate your body and make it well. You have no right to be sick…”
Nowadays vibrators that were once dubbed “masturbatory machines” for “sexually dysfunctional females”- are being stocked in stores around the world and of course online too.
Perhaps you already have a few adult toys and are considering buying another or perhaps you’re literally ‘toying‘ with the idea of buying your very first one – with so many different styles of vibrator on the market – do you know what each one does?
Not all vibrators are created equal – and – depending on its shape and functions, vibrators are designed to give you either G-spot, clitoral or vaginal stimulation. In the case of Rabbit Vibrators however – you get a hat-trick of all three in one. However, before you head to your neighbourhood adult shop or online store, read this rundown on vibrator types to see which one fits your own personal preference the best.
Bullets — Bullet vibrators are small, discreet and can be used all over the body, internally or externally. They are very versatile and due to their compact size they travel easily. They are often really inexpensive and can be enjoyed by women or men. Bullets are usually hard-shelled (either plastic or aluminum) or covered with a soft rubber or jelly coating. Be daring and try them on your nipples, labia, clitoris or G-spot (as long as the bullet has a retrieval cord).
Eggs — Egg vibrators are just the same as bullets, providing the same types of stimulation. However, an egg vibrator is shaped like—you guessed it—an egg.
Traditional Vibrators — When we talk about a traditional vibrator, we mean the typical …basic hard-shelled plastic vibrator, measuring anywhere from four to eight inches long. These vibrators are meant for targeted external and internal stimulation. They vibrate at multiple speeds, which are usually controlled by a knob at the base of the vibrator. Traditional vibrators can run on AA or C cell batteries. They vary in power and speed, but the hard shell means you feel more vibration with no ‘buffer’.
Realistic Vibrators — A realistic vibrator has a phallic shape, with all the details of a real penis. Realistic vibes vary in size and shape, but are generally made of silicone, jelly or rubber materials, giving them a softer feel. Realistic vibes – which are often referred to as dildos – can be used internally or externally. They vary in vibration speeds and functions (such as rotation) and battery types as well.
Rabbit Vibrators — Rabbit vibrators exist to stimulate your vaginal walls, G-spot and your clitoris, simultaneously. Rabbits have a rotating or oscillating shaft that’s lined with massaging beads or pearls—this is the part you use internally. They also feature vibrating bunny ears that caress your clitoris on the outside. Vibrator rabbits are much sought after – they shot to fame following a Sex and the City episode in which Charlotte becomes a recluse following the aquisition of a rabbit vibrator. Then there’s the matchless Hitachi Magic Wand – at sites like LoveTheMagicWand.com you’ll find many Hitachi Magic Wand Vibrator articles, information, raves and reviews and links to the many stores that stock these best-selling vibrators.
G-Spot Vibrators — G – spot vibrators were designed to locate and stimulate your G-spot. Some G-spot vibrators are hard and rigid while some are soft & flexible. G-spot vibrators feature a slightly curved or hooked head for targeted stimulation.
Clitoral Stimulators — Some vibrators are designed solely for clitoral stimulation. A number of of these vibrators are wearable and some are shaped to fit over your pubic bone. You can use these discreet vibes during sex or solo play.
Specialty Vibrators — Some vibrators defy categorization. They still vibrate and provide all sorts of stimulation: They just have unique, innovative and spectacular shapes and functions. Some are cone shaped, others are long and pencil thin while others still are very futuristic in their forms and finishes. There is even a range of vibrators that will throb in time to the music on your MP3 player – they are called the OhMiBod – and are powered by your iPod.
Even through the recent bad economy, vibrator sales are up by 20 percent on last year’s sales. Their use is very widespread as well, fifty-three percent of U.S. women and nearly half of all men report having used a vibrator, according to two recent national surveys from Indiana University. It would seem that a lot of people still fear that their womb or other parts of their anatomy might ‘migrate’ at any moment – so just to be sure…perhaps it’s time you got yourself a vibrator (or three!) too! You just never know when your womb might pack up and leave you!
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