Vibrators: they’re a staple in many nightstands, yet their history is shrouded in myths, medical mishaps, and some seriously questionable advertising. Over 52% of women in the U.S. have used one, and many men enjoy them too. But how did we get from ancient civilizations to Bluetooth-controlled, music-synced pleasure devices? Let’s dive into the wild, weird, and wonderful history of vibrators.
Did Cleopatra Invent the Vibrator? Buzzkill Alert: No.
You may have heard the tale of Cleopatra (69-30 BC) using a hollowed-out gourd filled with bees as an early vibrator. Sounds epic, right? Well, there’s no actual evidence for it. This myth, popularized by Brenda Love’s Encyclopedia of Unusual Sex Practices, lacks historical backing—no ancient texts, no archaeological proof, just pure speculation. Sorry, Queen Cleo.
The “Hysteria” Hype: A Myth That Won’t Die
One of the most enduring vibrator myths is that doctors in the 19th century used them to “treat” women for hysteria by inducing orgasms. The term “hysteria” comes from the Greek hysterika, meaning uterus. Ancient Greek physician Aretaeus thought the womb could wander around the body causing all sorts of ailments, from fainting to excessive farting (yes, really).
Fast-forward to the 1800s, and the story goes that overworked doctors, tired of manually massaging their patients to orgasm, invented vibrators as a labor-saving device. Sexy, scandalous—and largely untrue. While English physician Joseph Mortimer Granville patented an electric vibrator in 1883, he specifically stated he never used it on women. Instead, it was meant to treat men’s ailments, including headaches, indigestion, and—wait for it—constipation.
Historian Helen King and sex toy researcher Hallie Lieberman confirm: there’s zero concrete evidence that Victorian doctors used vibrators for “hysteria” treatments. The theory was popularized by Rachel Maines’ 1998 book The Technology of Orgasm, which she herself admitted was more of a hypothesis than a proven fact.
1900s: Vibrators for Everything (Except What You’re Thinking)
By the early 20th century, vibrators were marketed as cure-alls for everything from male impotence to wrinkles. They appeared in department stores, mail-order catalogs, and even Good Housekeeping magazine. Ads in The New York Times and Christian publications touted them as “blood circulators” and “beauty aids.”
Did people use them for masturbation? Almost certainly. But explicit marketing for that purpose? Not a chance. Thanks to the 1873 Comstock Act, “obscene” materials—including any mention of female pleasure—were illegal. Instead, manufacturers leaned into euphemisms, selling vibrators as tools for “nerve rejuvenation” and “that great-to-be-alive feeling.” Wink, wink.
Doctors, however, were suspicious. While some worried about vibrators corrupting men, others feared their potential for “voluptuous sensations” in women. Gynecologist Robert Latou Dickinson noted that one patient had used an electric vibrator to masturbate but didn’t seem particularly alarmed by it. Another doctor, Edwin Hirsch, was less chill, warning that vibrators were secretly being used for pleasure.
1920s-1950s: From Household Appliance to Taboo
In the 1920s, as vibrators started appearing in early erotic films, their public reputation took a hit. The American Medical Association denounced them as fraudulent medical devices in 1915, and by the mid-20th century, they faded from mainstream advertising.
That didn’t stop companies from selling them. The Polar Cub and Arnold Vibrator promised beauty and youthfulness, while Sears’ 1956 model offered that “great-to-be-alive feeling.” What they wouldn’t admit? People were absolutely still using them for pleasure.
1960s-1970s: The Sexual Revolution Strikes
As societal attitudes toward sex evolved, vibrators slowly emerged from the shadows. Pioneering sex educator Betty Dodson encouraged women to use vibrators to reclaim their sexual autonomy. She initially recommended models like the Oster and Panasonic Panabrator but later championed the now-iconic Hitachi Magic Wand.
Dr. Alex Comfort’s The Joy of Sex (1972) praised vibrators, noting they “can produce some sexual feeling in almost any woman.” But while the conversation was shifting, stigma remained. A 1974 study found that 61% of women masturbated, yet a quarter of them felt guilty or feared they were going insane because of it.
Meanwhile, laws against sex toys persisted. Texas banned vibrators in 1973 under its “Obscene Device Law,” a regulation that remained on the books for decades.
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1980s-1990s: Enter the Rabbit
In 1983, Vibratex introduced animal-shaped vibrators to bypass Japan’s obscenity laws. Among them: the Rabbit, which skyrocketed to fame after Sex and the City aired an episode in 1998 where Charlotte became obsessed with hers. Overnight, the Rabbit became a cultural icon.
Women-run sex shops like Eve’s Garden emerged, and vibrators became more widely accepted. Yet, they were still marketed as “personal massagers” to avoid legal trouble.
2000s-Present: Still Buzzing, Still Battling Stigma
Today, vibrators are easier to buy than ever, sold in major retailers like Target and CVS. Celebrities, daytime TV hosts, and even Oprah have openly discussed them. Yet, double standards persist. In 2010, MTV refused to air a Trojan vibrator commercial unless the word “vibrator” was removed—while ads for erectile dysfunction medication faced no such censorship.
And in some places, vibrators are still outright banned. Alabama passed a law in 1998 criminalizing the sale of sex toys, with penalties of up to $10,000 and a year in jail. In countries like Saudi Arabia, India, and Vietnam, their legal status remains murky.
The Future of Vibrators: Smarter, Sleeker, and Sex-Positive
Technology has revolutionized vibrators. Today, we have rechargeable, waterproof, app-controlled, and even AI-powered options. Bullet vibes, hands-free stimulators, and luxury sex jewelry (like the million-dollar, gemstone-encrusted Pearl Royal) push the boundaries of pleasure.
Yet, despite the advancements, female masturbation is still stigmatized. Vibrators continue to be sold under euphemisms, and sex toys for women face stricter regulations than those for men.
History shows us that attitudes towards vibrators—and female pleasure—are anything but linear. But one thing’s for sure: as long as people seek pleasure, the vibrator isn’t going anywhere.
