The History of the VibratorThroughout history, women have been perceived solely as a vessel for giving birth. Consequently, the reproductive system was thought to be the single cause of all disease in females.

In 400 B.C. Hippocrates, the “father of all medicine,” identified female disease as Hysteria, (the Greek word for disease of the womb.) was thought to be the cause of disease and ailments in women. found a cure for hysteria

Hippocrates Cure for Hysteria“The midwife shall anoint the head of the womb (yes, the clitoris,) with a mixture of herbs and warm oil. She will begin rubbing in a circular motion, first slowly, then with greater speed. As the patient nears the cure, her body may stiffen, and she may cry out and grimace in pain. At once she may have convulsions of the lower trunk, and then sink to a calm, signifying the hysteria has been cured.”

Physicians got down to workgot down to work

For the next 2000 years, hysteria was diagnosed, treated and cured using Hippocrates’ methods. In fact, it was such a common treatment, that through the 1700’s and 1800’s, 75% of all physicians’ income came from treating hysteria. Because it was a chronic condition, women who could afford treatments would get them 3 times a week or more.

“This treatment, which cures the patient in the privacy of her own home, without the

knowledge of anyone.. is curing the hopeless and those

pronounced incurable.”

advertising Dr. Swifts treatment for hysteria

A handbill from the 1700’s

Are you touching my wife?Because it was believed that women did not have orgasms, the clitoris was ignored as a

sexual organ. While the vagina was always off limits, men had no problem if a physician touched the “outside” of their wives or

daughter’s vagina.

Starting in the 1600‘s, advertisements for cures for hysteria was widespread.

Doctors get help

Quote from a physician in 1702

Treating Hysteria: “All patients require different techniques, with different motion and speed and force. You may find your fingers and hands cramped and numb, before you can induce a cure. It is a physically demanding treatment that can take over two hours with certain patients.”

Many physicians considered treating hysteria to be drudgery. Immediately, doctors who could afford to hire midwives, would foist the job to them. (Lucky midwives!) By the late 1500‘s, doctors and inventors began developing devices to make the physician’s job easier.

Steam Power

 A steam-powered vibrator, called “The Manipulator,”

was invented in 1869 by American physician

George Taylor. It was the size of a dining room

table, and had a cutout area for a vibrating sphere.

The steam engine that powered the reciprocating

motion of the sphere was located in a separate

room from the patient.

Hydrotherapy, France, 1815

Physicians continued to seek easier ways to cure hysteria.

Advertisement, London, 1894

VIGOR’SHORSE EXERCISE AT HOME.--The Hercules

HORSE-ACTION SADDLE, VIGORS NEW HOME SUBSTITUTE for HORSE -RIDING, has been

tested and approved of the most eminent Physicians anD equestrians of the day; it has been personally ordered by the PRINCESS OF WALES, AND IS PRONOUNCED BY Dr, George fleming,

c.b. late President royal college veterinary Surgeon to the British Army, to be the most

efficient substitute for the live horse. It quickens the circulation, and is a

certain cure for hysteria...

pre-electric spring crank operated vibrator

Pre-electric spring loaded vibrators

Electricity As soon as electricity was introduced into homes, the electric vibrator was born. In fact, the vibrator was the 4th home electrical appliance invented, right after the electric iron and the toaster! As early as 1918, every respectable magazine & newspaper carried advertisements for these miraculous devices!

Popular Mechanics 1919

From the 1916, New York Syracuse Journal, considered one of the most conservative

papers in New York.