The development of vibrators reveals interesting information on the changes of views and the relationship of men and medicine towards women.

Once the steam-powered Manipulator appeared in Great Britain, which was in 1870, the history about vibrators is equally as exciting as the devices themselves. These vibrators for women are a combination of science, medicine, design, technology and social history, Timesonline writes.

Vivienne Parry, who is lecturing this week at the Cheltenham science festival in Great Britain on science and the history of vibrators, claims that their history reveals quite a lot on the changes of views and the relationship of men towards women.

Sex deprivation leads to illness

The entire story begins hysterically with “womb furie”. Hippocrates believed the womb was not a fixed organ, but that it wandered throughout the body, searching for trouble. During orgasm, it “grips” the windpipe, causing women to pant breathlessly. Rolls eyes. 

From the earliest times, it was acknowledged that women often complain about nervousness, fluid retention, insomnia and lack of appetite. Hippocrates was convinced the cause for these troubles was a womb blockage. This was called hysteria, from the Greek word for womb (hysteros).

Greek doctor Galen believed that the womb blockage was caused by sex deprivation, especially with exceptionally passionate women and it was noticed with nuns, virgins, widows, as well as married women whose husbands were not up to the job.

The solution was sought in massages which lead to climax. Touching genital organs was practiced as treatment, which led to twitching, accompanied by pain, as well as pleasure. All to make women free of the ailments that were tormenting them.

Hard way to reach an orgasm

The problem was that doctors saw this treatment as awfully tiring, because bringing a woman to climax manually can sometimes take a long time. This was a job that required endurance and patience.

Because the procedure lasted a long time, the doctors did not find it lucrative as they could not visit enough patients to make money. At the time, masturbation was frowned upon (by all genders). Not only was it considered a moral affront, but it was thought to be dangerous and mind and body-weakening.

Women, especially those suffering from hysteria, were not allowed to touch themselves, which was considered a job for men: husbands and doctors exclusively.

Water instead of hands

At the end of the 19th century, spa centers came to the rescue, providing treatments with water that performed the task more efficiently. These were pelvic showers from 1860 that directed the gushes at the clitoris that supposedly made women climax in just 4 minutes.

If marriage was not the answer from relief, gynecologist Dyno-Rodding advised women to go horse back riding, driving in rickety trains or sit in rocking chairs.

Mass hysteria

However, if this was not enough, women were reduced to asking doctor's assistance. Many people from the medical profession believed that over 75 percent of women were hysteric and that this was a chronic disease that can be soothed, but not cured.

Thus, a need for cheaper and more available devices arose. By 1870s, steam-power had been explored and the Manipulator appeared. This was a desk with special cut out part where a woman could fit her pelvis, while special parts would stimulate her clitoris with steam-powered vibrations.

The first British vibrator was manufactured by Weiss in 1880 and it consisted of several vibratodes. The vibrator was battery-charged, but as electric energy started ruling the world, the vibrator as we know it today (albeit rudimentary) started being produced.

Vibrators at the time produced 1,000-7,00 pulses per minute and there were several types: mobile, attached to the floor, as well as those which dangled from the ceiling.

Home vibrator

Doctors operated the devices. However, sexologists claim that the appearance of these devices shows something completely different. It seems that people finally realized women's pleasure did not have to include penetration. However, another question arose. If it was believed that sexual deprivation causes hysteria, then why weren't women taught to masturbate to “get some relief”?

At the start of the 20th century, vibrators were made for home usage. Interestingly enough, the vibrator was electrified before electric laundromats were invented. The first devices were quite humongous and loud, but later on their design improved and they were miniaturized.

The belief was that not only vibrators cured hysteria, but deafness, polio and impotence as well. Devices, which made women's faces glow, began to be advertised.

My first toy

Once the cure left the medical arena and moved into homes, doctors stopped using it. There are endless types of vibrators and other sexual aids today, intended for women and men both.

Latest research shows that 44 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 60 use sex toys, as do 20 percent of men. A large number of women have no problem talking with their partner about sex toys. If you do, fear not- we have an article with some tips on having that conversation with your partner: Introducing Sex Toys Into Your Relationship.

One out of five women masturbate at least once a week, while 60 percent of them use Vibrators. 

The largest number of women had their first encounter with a sex toy around the age of 20.

If you're looking for more info on vibrators, we have a great article: Intro to Vibrators