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Not long ago, I came across a fascinating piece in Scientific American that shared an unbelievable tale: the vibrator, a beloved tool for pleasure used by nearly 80% of adult women in the U.S., was reportedly invented in the Victorian era as a remedy for “hysteria.” How had I never heard this before? My interest was certainly sparked.
To learn more, I did some research, and various reputable sources echoed this narrative. It turns out that hysteria was a prevalent issue for women in the 19th century—so common that around 75% of American women were believed to be suffering from it. The prescribed treatment? Manual stimulation by a physician to induce what was referred to as “paroxysms.” Yes, that term means exactly what you think it does.
Hysterical Women and Their ‘Paroxysms’
The narrative suggests that both women and their doctors genuinely believed in their ailments and perceived the treatments as non-sexual in nature. However, achieving these paroxysms was a laborious and time-consuming process, often delegated to midwives. Can you imagine the potential for a unique genre of storytelling here? I might even pen some fiction featuring a troubled Victorian woman grappling with an unexplainable sensation, only to be referred to a charming midwife. “I swear this is not improper, Miss,” the midwife might insist while she works, “It’s a legitimate medical treatment!”
Overworked Midwives and the Invention of the Vibrator
Even those midwives found themselves exhausted by the demands of such treatments, leading to the invention of an electromechanical vibrator by Joseph Mortimer Granville in the early 1880s, originally intended for muscle aches. Medical professionals soon realized it could be applied to, ahem, “other areas.”
This innovation drastically shortened the time required for those paroxysms—from an hour to just five or ten minutes. The vibrator’s popularity surged, eventually becoming one of the first electric appliances in the modern home, alongside sewing machines and toasters. Throughout this time, the use of the vibrator on the clitoris was seen as a clinical remedy, not a sexual act.
Historically, it’s assumed that those with vaginas were quite aware of the device’s effects. Many likely approached this “treatment” with a pretense of innocence, similar to how I pretended my vibrating back massager was solely for my back. However, the common usage of vibrators declined with Sigmund Freud’s revelations about the sexual nature of paroxysms, which created an air of embarrassment.
The Myth of the Vibrator’s Origin
This narrative about the vibrator’s origins gained traction in 1999 with Rachel Maines’s book, Technology of Orgasm. It was presented as a scholarly work, complete with extensive citations from various sources, leading many to accept it as fact. Subsequent adaptations in media, including a documentary and a film, further cemented this story in popular culture.
However, Hallie Lieberman, a sex historian and author of Buzz: The Stimulating History of the Sex Toy, investigated Maines’s claims and uncovered a troubling amount of speculation and distortion to support her narrative. Maines later claimed her assertions were merely an “interesting hypothesis,” yet her authoritative writing led many to believe otherwise.
While it is true that Granville invented the electric vibrator in the 1880s, it was aimed at men for pain relief, not for treating women’s hysteria. Contrary to the popular myth, doctors did not suddenly realize that they could relieve their tired hands by using this device on women. Historical evidence indicates that Victorians were aware of female pleasure, and there were even guides encouraging husbands to ensure their wives’ satisfaction.
In conclusion, although the vibrator was indeed utilized for pleasure once it was accessible at home, the notion that it was a clueless medical creation for treating women’s hysteria is simply a myth—a captivating story, yes, but ultimately fiction.
For more on this topic, you can check out one of our other blog posts here. If you’re interested in home insemination, Make a Mom provides informative resources. Additionally, Resolve is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
Possible Search Queries:
- History of Vibrators
- Victorian Medical Practices
- Origins of Sexual Devices
- Understanding Hysteria
- Impact of Freud on Sexuality
Summary:
The commonly accepted narrative that vibrators were created to treat women’s hysteria in the Victorian era is a compelling myth rather than a historical fact. While Joseph Mortimer Granville did invent an electromechanical vibrator in the 1880s, it was aimed at addressing men’s ailments, not a solution for female hysteria. The belief that these devices were used purely for medical purposes by oblivious doctors is unfounded, as historical evidence indicates an awareness of female pleasure. Ultimately, this tale is more fiction than reality.
Keyphrase: Vibrator origin story
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