Chapter 1: The  Evolution of the vibrator

 

 INTRODUCING…THE MANIPULATOR!

Can you imagine plugging something into the wall that looked and sounded like a vacuum cleaner, but was actually a vibrator—and better yet, using one? How charming.

We are fortunate to have LELO, Crave, and We-Vibe on the market these days—but the first vibrators weren’t quite as…discrete…or sexy.

 

Dr. George Taylor made this wompin’ sucker in 1869. He titled the first ever vibrator “The Manipulator”…classy…and steam-powered! In 1880, Dr. Joseph Mortimer Granville extended the manipulator, and patented the first electromechanical vibrator. Some of the early non-electric vibrators were operated by hand crank. Can you imagine having to crank up your vibrator—or even worse having to re-crank during your sexy time?

 

The vibrator was initially crafted to cure Hysteria. Female hysteria is from the Greek idea of a “wandering womb seeking its proper place”.
Symptoms of female Hysteria included: faintness, nervousness, insomnia, fluid retention, heaviness in abdomen, muscle spasm, shortness of breath, irritability, loss of appetite for food or sex, a “tendency to cause trouble”, and moistness in the vagina…

 

A common cure for Hysteria was for the doctor to conduct a “pelvic massage” which would lead to the patient experiencing a HYSTERICAL PAROXYSM —or an orgasm.

 

The cure for Hysteria was soon available to purchase for in-home use! No more trips to Dr. Mesmer. American appliance company, Hamilton Beach, patented the first vibrator available for retail sale in 1902 making the vibrator the 5th domestic appliance to be electrified.
After the sewing machine, fan, and tea kettle—and a decade before the electric iron.

KY Jelly Lubricant enters the market in 1927 to be used during pelvic exams—but it isn’t until 1980 that it’s available for retail sale. The next vibrator to enter the market is The Gilbert—and it slightly resembles a small vacuum. That’s not awkward at all…

There was a lull for about 3 decades when no advancements were made to the vibrator—or at least none available to the public.

 

  • March 28, 1968 is when John H. Tavel will be granted a patent for the Modern Personal Vibrator…Finally!
  • We see the infamous Japanese Hitachi Magic Wand enter the market in the 1970′s, making way for the next 3 decades of advancements and luxuries in sex toy savvy.

Step one towards making women more comfortable using sex toys begins in 1983, when Patty Brisben starts Pure Romance—an In-Home Party for women to comfortably discuss and research sex toys and other sexy goods. Thanks, Patty!

 

The next 2 decades we see the brands we know and love available for retail sale:

  • 1992-Vixen Creations
  • 1996- Fun Factory
  • 1998- Tantus
  • 2003- Swedish Luxury sex toy manufacturer LELO
  •  2004- JimmyJane
  • 2005- Njoy
  • 2006- Music Driven Sex Toy: OHMIBOD
  • and the latest…Crave.

  • The features today are limitless: remote control wireless vibrators, waterproof, rechargeable, ergonomic, and practically silent.

 

 Isn’t Dr. Joseph Mortimer Granville the greatest name ever?

To Chapter 2