Sex toys have come along way in the last forty odd years but back in the 19th century apparatus for curing illness was a whole lot different.
Fact or fiction
Whether it’s a total myth or not remains to be seen but a couple of hundred years ago doctors and physicians labeled the sexual needs of a woman with “Hysteria”. As the ailment started to become more common it spawned a whole new industry of health resorts and treatments in search of a cure. Doctors would hand massage the clitoris with miraculous results leaving the patient seemingly relieved of the illness temporarily. The treatment became a staple income for most medical practices with solid repeat business but the treatment was considered by physicians to be tedious and physically demanding.
Treatment
The most notable treatment came in the form of a steam driven, coal powered vibrator called the “manipulator”. Invented by a chap called George Taylor the manipulator consisted of a table with a paddle, powered by an engine that had to be hidden in another room. Imagine! The victim would lie face down on the table whilst the paddle vigorously massaged her vagina. For all intense and purposes, the treatment worked initiating paroxysm (or orgasm in todays terminology) reducing treatment to under ten minutes. Another less frightening treatment was a form of hydrotherapy whe water jets were fired at the patients vagina to reduce swelling and to pacify the surrounding areas. The mere thought of having that treatment was a cure in itself.
Cure
With advancements in electricity the 20th century bought a more modern approach to adult toy design but early contraptions were only advertised as devises for improving skin tone or weight loss as publicly, such devises manufactured for sexual gratification were considered taboo. Designs and concepts would range from hand crank drills to crude looking hair dryers with results being sketchy to life threatening on occasions.
Advancement
Finally in the 1970’s the Hitachi Magic wand appeared. Its effectiveness came at a time when attitudes toward self sex and masturbation were becoming more relaxed. However in some states of America it was criminal to own an adult toy so many companies marketed vibrators as personal massagers. Certain parts of the US still regulate the sale of female sex toys noting the Texas anti-vibrator law of the early 70’S.
The Mighty Rabbit
The 1980s were the real break through era in recognisable sex toy design with a Japanese company producing the first rabbit vibrator which we all know and love today. In those days Japan also had strict obscenity laws. To get around these laws, sex toys were manufactured in vibrant colors and given humanising names making them more of a novelty item. The rabbit vibrator has sold in its millions since then and can be purchased in many different variants. Technology is now playing a major role in adult toy innovation with AI enabled, hands free devices, made from seamless medical grade hi tech materials.
The Future
Today the adult toy is an acceptable part of everyday western life even if the act of female masturbation is frowned upon or illegal in some countries, with many grey areas in many places around the world concerning the subject.
We should probably be thankful that we live in a progressive technological environment. Thought can and does become reality.
Homage To The Vibrator
Sex toys have come along way in the last forty odd years but back in the 19th century apparatus for curing illness was a whole lot different.
Fact or fiction
Whether it’s a total myth or not remains to be seen but a couple of hundred years ago doctors and physicians labeled the sexual needs of a woman with “Hysteria”. As the ailment started to become more common it spawned a whole new industry of health resorts and treatments in search of a cure. Doctors would hand massage the clitoris with miraculous results leaving the patient seemingly relieved of the illness temporarily. The treatment became a staple income for most medical practices with solid repeat business but the treatment was considered by physicians to be tedious and physically demanding.
Treatment
The most notable treatment came in the form of a steam driven, coal powered vibrator called the “manipulator”. Invented by a chap called George Taylor the manipulator consisted of a table with a paddle, powered by an engine that had to be hidden in another room. Imagine! The victim would lie face down on the table whilst the paddle vigorously massaged her vagina. For all intense and purposes, the treatment worked initiating paroxysm (or orgasm in todays terminology) reducing treatment to under ten minutes. Another less frightening treatment was a form of hydrotherapy whe water jets were fired at the patients vagina to reduce swelling and to pacify the surrounding areas. The mere thought of having that treatment was a cure in itself.
Cure
With advancements in electricity the 20th century bought a more modern approach to adult toy design but early contraptions were only advertised as devises for improving skin tone or weight loss as publicly, such devises manufactured for sexual gratification were considered taboo. Designs and concepts would range from hand crank drills to crude looking hair dryers with results being sketchy to life threatening on occasions.
Advancement
Finally in the 1970’s the Hitachi Magic wand appeared. Its effectiveness came at a time when attitudes toward self sex and masturbation were becoming more relaxed. However in some states of America it was criminal to own an adult toy so many companies marketed vibrators as personal massagers. Certain parts of the US still regulate the sale of female sex toys noting the Texas anti-vibrator law of the early 70’S.
The Mighty Rabbit
The 1980s were the real break through era in recognisable sex toy design with a Japanese company producing the first rabbit vibrator which we all know and love today. In those days Japan also had strict obscenity laws. To get around these laws, sex toys were manufactured in vibrant colors and given humanising names making them more of a novelty item. The rabbit vibrator has sold in its millions since then and can be purchased in many different variants. Technology is now playing a major role in adult toy innovation with AI enabled, hands free devices, made from seamless medical grade hi tech materials.
The Future
Today the adult toy is an acceptable part of everyday western life even if the act of female masturbation is frowned upon or illegal in some countries, with many grey areas in many places around the world concerning the subject.
We should probably be thankful that we live in a progressive technological environment. Thought can and does become reality.