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A few weeks ago, I came across an intriguing article that revealed an astonishing narrative I couldn’t believe I had missed: the vibrator, a beloved device for many women in the U.S., was purportedly invented during the Victorian era as a remedy for “hysteria.” How had I not encountered this before? My interest was piqued, prompting me to explore further. Multiple reputable sources echoed the same tale, suggesting that hysteria was a widespread affliction among 19th-century women—so prevalent that it was believed that three-quarters of American women might be affected. The prescribed “treatment”? Manual stimulation by a physician to induce “paroxysms.” Yes, you read that right.
Hysterical Women and Their ‘Paroxysms’
According to the narrative, both women and their doctors genuinely believed in the illness, and neither party considered the treatment to be sexual. However, achieving this state of paroxysm was often laborious and time-consuming, leading many doctors to delegate the task to midwives. Can you imagine this scenario? It could easily inspire an entire genre of romantic fiction. Perhaps I’ll write a short story about a conflicted Victorian woman, plagued by a mysterious longing, who is passed from her befuddled doctor to a charming midwife with gentle eyes. “I assure you, it’s entirely proper, dear,” the midwife might say as she performs the “treatment.”
Exhausted Midwives and the Invention of the Electric Vibrator
Eventually, midwives found the task tiresome. Coincidentally, an inventor named Joseph Mortimer Granville patented an “electromechanical vibrator” in the early 1880s for general muscle pain relief. Medical professionals soon realized that this device could also be applied to, shall we say, “other areas.” This innovation drastically reduced the time taken to achieve a paroxysm from an hour to a mere five or ten minutes.
The popularity of the vibrator soared, becoming one of the first electric appliances in modern homes, following household staples like sewing machines and toasters. Throughout this time, the use of the vibrator for clitoral stimulation was viewed clinically and not as a sexual act—which is somewhat hard to believe.
While it’s easy to assume that those who owned vibrators were fully aware of their purpose, historical accounts suggest that many participated in this “treatment” with a sense of innocence, akin to how I once pretended a back massager was solely for my back. However, the widespread acceptance of vibrators waned when Sigmund Freud declared that paroxysms were inherently sexual. What a scandal!
The Technology of Orgasm
The narrative surrounding the vibrator’s invention gained traction after Rachel Maines published “Technology of Orgasm” in 1999—a well-cited book with over 465 references, including sources in ancient languages. It was a compelling story that many accepted as fact. Subsequent media, including documentaries and plays, drew from Maines’s work, reinforcing the notion that the vibrator was a medical invention for female pleasure.
Yet, upon further examination, this tantalizing tale falls apart. Hallie Lieberman, a sex historian and author of “Buzz: The Stimulating History of the Sex Toy,” undertook the task of fact-checking Maines’s references. What she uncovered was a surprising amount of speculation and manipulation of facts to support the narrative.
In her defense, Maines claimed her work was merely an “interesting hypothesis.” However, considering the authoritative tone of her writing, it’s difficult to accept that she didn’t recognize her own distortions.
What Maines accurately noted was Granville’s invention of the electric vibrator in the 1880s, but his aim was primarily for male treatments, such as addressing pain. Contrary to popular belief, physicians did not suddenly discover that Granville’s invention could alleviate their manual efforts in treating hysterical women.
Victorians were certainly aware of female orgasm; marriage guides from that era encouraged husbands to prioritize their wives’ satisfaction. Despite their strict social norms, they understood the significance of female pleasure. Once the vibrator made its way into homes, it undoubtedly became a source of enjoyment. However, the idea that doctors and midwives were oblivious to the sexual nature of their actions is unfounded. It’s a captivating tale, but ultimately, it’s just that—a tale.
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Search Queries:
- History of the vibrator
- How vibrators were invented
- Victorian era and female pleasure
- Medical use of vibrators
- Understanding hysteria in women
In summary, the widely accepted story of the vibrator’s origin as a treatment for hysteria is more myth than fact. While the device was indeed invented in the Victorian era, its purpose was not solely to treat female sexual dysfunction, and the narrative has been exaggerated over the years.