History of the vibrator: Sex advice and tips for women

The first steam-powered 'Manipulator' appeared in Britain in 1870 in response to a particular
women's complaint which was characterized by nervousness, fluid retention, insomnia and lack of
appetite. Hippocrates believed it was caused by a blockage in the womb and so become known as
hysteria (hysteros being the Greek word for womb).

Galen, a Greek physician believed massaging of the genital region to 'paroxysm' to be the cure for
such afflictions." Arising from the touch of the genital organs required by the treatment, there
follows twitchings accompanied at the same time by pain and pleasure...from that time she is free
of all the evil she felt," proclaimed Galen.

This was deemed a necessary medical procedure as for many years women's sexual pleasure had
been linked to penetration. As the genital massage involved no penetration, it was a perfectly
acceptable medical practice but one which could be tedious and exhausting for doctors who at
times would have to massage a woman for an hour until she reached 'paroxysm'. Alternatives
were sought to speed up the process.

Hydrotherapies were trialled, where what appeared to be a giant water hose was trained on a
woman's clitoris but it was messy and expensive. The Manipulator was a table with a cut out area
for the woman's pelvis with a steam powered vibrating sphere employed to do the job. But
neither was really suitable for a doctor's treatment room. It became clear that there was a need
for a take home device and it was this need that was the driving force behind the creation of a
small electric motor. The first take home vibrator was patented in 1902, making the vibrator the
fifth electrical appliance to be introduced into the home, after the sewing machine and long
before the electric iron.

In the 1920's a silent film depicting the use of a vibrator in a sexual manner blew the vibrators
cover as a purely medical device and as a result vibrators disappeared from view for the best
part of fifty years although they were still for sale discreetly disguised as anything from a neck
massager to an attachment for a vacuum cleaner!

Vibrators came back into their own in the 80's and 90's with vibrators being seen as a safe sex
alternative during a time when the threat of AIDS played heavily on peoples minds. Vibrators
were popularised in the UK by a chain called Ann Summers who aimed to lift the taboo around
these products by making them available to women in the comfort of their own home. And so was
borne the godmother of all adult party plan. Ann Summers, a company run by women for women,
continues to enjoy immense popularity today with party plans bringing in over 1 million pounds per
week.

April Nites have recently brought this concept to Australia. We would like to continue the tradition
and make sex toys a natural part of the Australian woman's life. As you can see we are in good
company.