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The Untold History of the Vibrator
Did you know the vibrator wasn’t originally created for female pleasure?
Let’s bust some myths and explore its evolution!
Myth: Vibrators were invented to “treat hysteria” in women by inducing orgasms.
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Reality: There’s no evidence Victorian doctors used vibrators for this purpose—it’s a widely believed but debunked theory.
This myth comes from Rachel Maines’ book The Technology of Orgasm (1998), but even she admitted it was a hypothesis, not fact!
The First Vibrator
1880s: British physician Dr. Mortimer Granville created the first mechanical vibrator.
BUT—he actually advised against using it on women!
Instead, vibrators were marketed for treating pain, muscle tension, constipation, and even headaches.
When Did Vibrators Become Sexual?
1903: The first vibrator marketed for sexual use was called the Hygeia, but most were still sold as “beauty tools.”
1920s: The Polar Cub was advertised for “facial shaping” but was likely repurposed for pleasure.
1950s: The American Medical Association dismissed vibrators as fraudulent medical devices—forcing manufacturers to rebrand.
The Hitachi Magic Wand Era
1970s: The Hitachi Magic Wand was originally sold for sore muscles, but users quickly discovered its true potential.
Sex and the City (2001) catapulted it into pop culture, making it one of the most famous sex toys ever!
The Rabbit & Modern Sex Toys
1998: Sex and the City featured the Rabbit vibrator, originally designed in Japan due to obscenity laws requiring toys to resemble animals.
Today: Vibrators have evolved into body-safe, ergonomic, and tech-driven pleasure devices.
The Future of Vibrators
What’s next?
More body-safe materials (goodbye toxic plastics!)
More inclusive & gender-neutral designs)
More innovation in pleasure tech
Final Thought: Vibrators have come a long way—from “medical tools” to mainstream pleasure devices.
Pleasure is a right, not a luxury.
Work With Us!
Want to learn more about sexual wellness, intimacy, and pleasure?
As a Relationship Counselor & Clinical Sexologist, I specialize in helping individuals and couples overcome challenges related to intimacy, body confidence, and sexual wellness. Book an appointment here!
About Dr. Martha Tara Lee
Dr. Martha Tara Lee has been a passionate advocate for positive sexuality since 2007. With a Doctorate in Human Sexuality and a Master’s in Counseling, she founded Eros Coaching in 2009 to help individuals and couples lead self-actualized and pleasurable lives. Her expertise includes working with couples in unconsummated marriages, individuals with sexual inhibitions or desire discrepancies, men facing erection and ejaculation concerns, and members of the LGBTQIA+ and kink communities. She welcomes people of all sexual orientations and offers both online and in-person consultations in English and Mandarin.
Dr. Lee is the only certified sexuality educator by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) in the region since 2011, and became an AASECT-certified sexuality educator supervisor in 2018. Her fun, educational, and sex-positive approach has been featured in international media including Huffington Post, Newsweek, and South China Morning Post. She currently serves as Resident Sexologist for the Singapore Cancer Society, Of Noah.sg, OfZoey.sg, and Sincere Healthcare Group., and is the host of the podcast Eros Matters.
An accomplished author, Dr. Lee has published four books: Love, Sex and Everything In-Between (2013), Orgasmic Yoga: Masturbation, Meditation and Everything In-Between (2015), From Princess to Queen: Heartbreaks, Heartgasms and Everything In-Between (2017), and {Un}Inhihibited (2019). Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including Her World’s Top 50 Inspiring Women under 40 (2010), CozyCot’s Top 100 Inspiring Women (2011), Global Woman of Influence (2024), the Most Supportive Relationship Coach (Singapore Business Awards, APAC Insider, 2025), and the Icon of Change International Award (2025).
You can read the testimonials she’s received over years here. For her full profile, click here. Email her here.
