London Science Museum's new exhibit......1930's vibrator

[Pert_UK]

Jesus, you could strip paint with that thing!



http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_899751.html

[JohnyCanuck]

1. Looks like it might make a good power sander for a home workshop. n/t

n/t

[BurtWorm]

2. "It reveals how the vibrator was invented by male doctors

to combat what they perceived as "hysteria" in women.

"The electric device superseded the previous practice of doctors giving genital massage to female patients. It dramatically reduced the time needed for each treatment and could be operated by the relatively unskilled."

Just what kind of doctors were these?!


(Welcome back from oblivion, Pert_UK. :hi: )

[Skittles]

11. the "hysteria"

was women having to live in the 30's

[supernova]

12. This whole business of male docs

treating women for their "hysteria" is rather intriguing. It makes me :puke: that the sexuality of women was so little understood and so little valued for so long.

[jmowreader]

3. This was a "medical device," not a "sex toy"

Anyone who's seen The Road to Wellville will remember Dr. Spitzvogel and his "movement therapy." Movement therapy involved manipulating the womb and the breasts to relieve the patient of her hysteria--hysteria being one of the most-diagnosed women's diseases of the era depicted in that historical film.

Doctors did not enjoy performing this therapeutic massage (it's not fun if you have to do it) and it took some time to properly remove the hysteria, so naturally machines that could be operated by a technician, or by the patient herself in the privacy of her own home, would be welcomed by the profession. This is one of them.

I know what you're thinking: "Why not just do it the old-fashioned way?" Many doctors thought the same thing; prescribing marriage was fairly common then.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. Well, if I was a woman...

I think I'd go hysterical just looking at that thing.

[KinkyDem]

5. Hmmm, can I respond without getting this post deleted ...

Do you REALLY think that ALL of those Dr's hated "performing" this ... snicker ... medical procedure? I bet those bastards were as sexualy frustrated as their poor patients.

Some of the devices from that era are still in use, by some. One is the violet wand an electrical sparking device. The're interesting to say the least.

A sad sidenote. My great aunt (my mothers mothers sister) was locked away for "hysteria" and basicly never saw the light of day. Total hysterectomy at like 25, decades of being commited to an "insane asylum" and eventualy died and was burreid there. When evaluated for mental health issues a few years ago I brought this up and the shrink looks at me and smiles saddly and says, "You do realize that she probably had no mental illness and was institutionalized at a time of almost criminal commitments?". I did know that. That poor woman probably simply suffered from frustration or depression and was locked away to supress her upityness. And to think, maybe all she needed was a few good orgasms every now and then. I know it helps me.

[Superfly]

6. Yes, wearing protective gloves is a good thing...

[supernova]

7. Ouch!

No way is that thing coming anywhere NEAR me! x(

The woman demonstrating it looks highly suspicious of it too.

[KinkyDem]

8. OH, you think THAT is scary?

You ain't seen nothing!

I'm at work so I can't go find all the links but google a few of these:

sybian
sex machines (think dong made from a sawz-all)
violet wand (violet, as in the color)

Also, keep in mind that the ... um ... nib ... working end ... is REALLY old and looks to have been shut in a box with no thought given to the long term effect on the business end of things. Also, go look at the freak show that is modern adult merchandising, egads, some of that stuff just looks painfull in ways not even I would endorse. As far as the MUESEUM worker wearing gloves, come off it people, she's handling a mueseum exhibit piece.

[supernova]

10. I'm familiar with

the current run of sex toys in concept, but really have no need of them. Sex is plenty stimulating all by itself without the artificial joy, thanks.

edit: Though I do find it amusing sometimes what people used to do. History is fun. :D

[gottaB]

9. ahem

http://www.goodvibes.com/cgi-bin/sgdynamo.exe?HTNAME=museum/index.html