Sex toys are not a new invention, and were not, as many think, first found in Asia.

Many of today's vibrators and other sex aids are indeed made in Asia, but the history the vibrator starts in the west.

It will come as no surprise to us women, that throughout most of history, it was believed that many 'conditions' women suffered from was due to some form of hysteria.

Many 'medical men' and philosophers believed the uterus was complaining of neglect and that was why so many women suffered with so many vague and strange symptoms.

The outcome was that 'Hysteria' was caused by sexual frustration.

Anything from tiredness, headaches, absent-mindedness, melancholia insomnia, irregular breathing, and confusion was put down to ‘Hysteria’. 

Of course, it was once thought that women didn't like, or enjoy sex, so passionate and very sexual women were thought to be the worst affected by 'Hysteria'  - as very sexual behaviour in women was 'abnormal'.

What Was The Cure?

So, we were very 'hysterical' and it was something to do with sexual frustration and we were in need of sexual release!

The Good Bit!

At one time midwives always took care of all sexual and reproductive issues in women.

Men of course became involved eventually and in turn modern medicine. After all, who better to sort us wayward women out than our doctors? Doctors, at that time took the condition and treatment very seriously.

It was decided that a physician - or midwife - should manually massage the women’s vulva –thought to be part of the uterus - until there were contractions and lubrication. This was termed the ‘hysterical paroxysm’ (now known as an orgasm). 

Of course, after the 'procedure' women would feel much better! - I should think so too!

Manual manipulation of the female genitalia appears to have been used as a treatment for sexual frustration and all female problems as early as the 4-5^th centuries. This was done with the belief that would rid women of their mysterious illnesses and 'odd behaviour.'

As you can imagine, because this treatment was so popular doctors could become very weary and other ways of relieving women were being considered.

A ‘breakthrough’ came in 1869 when the steam powered massage and vibratory apparatus was patented. The new apparatus for 'the treatment of female disorders' was intended for supervised use only in case of over indulgence.

How Brilliant Was This? (check out the gadget!)

Many doctors were having difficulty treating patients using their own fingers and this new machine would be a godsend as it would be less tiring for them and allow them to 'help' many more poor women! In fact a 17^th century doctor was to complain "how tiring and time consuming the ‘massage therapy’ was for the doctor".

The procedure that before could have taken up to an hour could now be performed in minutes.

After a while other 'sex aids' were sometimes used, such as air powered and gasoline powered vibrating tables, swinging chairs, jolting chairs and many others.

Funny really, masturbation was a sin yet it was deemed normal - even necessary - for women during Victorian times to visit their doctor in order to obtain the sexual pleasure and relief they weren’t getting at home!

According to Rachel Maines, historian and author of ‘The Technology of Orgasm’  the therapy was not seen as a sexual act because it was believed that women could only get sexual gratification through vaginal penetration rather than external manipulation. As nothing involved, or entered, the vagina it wasn’t a sexual act it was just a medical encounter!

What About The Clitoris?

During the 16th century, Gabriel Fallopius claimed to be the first person to find the clitoris. He said:

"it is so hidden that I was the first to discover it, several years ago".

However, at the same point in history, it seems that Pietro d'Abano was the only one who seemed to understand what the clitoris was for. 

"Women are driven to desire... by having the upper orifice near their pubis rubbed. The pleasure that can be obtained from this part of the body is comparable to that obtained from the tip of the penis." AT LAST!

So why, when that was believed and documented during the 16th century, were they still denying it during Victorian times? It seems both society, and the medical profession carried on denying it for four hundred years.

Even as recent as 1905 Freud said that the clitoral orgasm was an immature method of pleasure, and the fully developed woman should receive stimulation only from the vagina.

This theory continued right up until the 80's, in fact it wasn't until the 1950's that even the idea of hysteria as a disease was debunked!

The Modern Vibrator

As with any new invention things started to take off.

Within 20 years of the steam powered vibrator being patented, a portable battery vibrator was available, and by the turn of the 20^th century there were at least two-dozen different types of vibrators available to the medical profession.

Of course by now, the potential to produce vibrators and sell them directly to women had not gone unnoticed.

For decency and legal purposes they were marketed as household appliances - never as sexual massagers. They were advertised in respectable periodicals as ‘aids that every woman appreciates, with the delicious promise that "all the pleasures of youth will throb within you". Well I never! 

They promoted the vibrators as an aid to health. Men were encouraged to give their wives a massager as a gift as it gave them pink cheeks and bright eyes… I bet that's not all it gave them!

In fact, the 'appliances' (vibrator/massager) was only the fifth electrical household appliance behind the kettle, toaster, sewing machine and fan.

The 1920’s saw the first ‘blue movies’ and early pornography showed women using  ‘massagers’ for sexual pleasure.

The 1930's because of this, by the 1930’s they were no longer openly advertised and medical use of them stopped.

The 1960’s saw the vibrator emerge again and this time in all it’s sexual glory.

Masters and Johnson used vibrators in their research into sexuality in the late 1960’s, and penis shaped vibrators were starting to be sold in sex shops. Vibrators by mail order was also becoming more popular.

In 1971 Feminist Author and sex therapist Betty Dodson started to teach masturbation workshops focusing on using vibrators.

She claims to have introduced electric vibrators solely to gain an orgasm. It seems her boyfriend was having his scalp massaged with one and he thought it would be great for clitoral stimulation. 

In 1974 Joani Blank published ‘Good Vibrations’: The complete guide to vibrators. This guide encouraged women to explore and enjoy their sexuality. She also invented the Venus Butterfly Vibrator and in 1977 opened 'Good Vibrations' the first sex shop devoted entirely to the vibrator.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Today, women almost everywhere, see their vibrator as part of their sexual independence and freedom.

So ladies, whenever you fell the need to 'cure your hysterical paroxysm' you know what to do - but don't ask your doctor!