Otis Singleton
The history of sex toys goes back to the Neolithic Era, with the first phallic sex toys being nearly 28,000 years old. These toys were made of siltstone and found in German caves. The word dildo first appeared around 1400 AD, derived from the Latin word dilatare or dilatre, meaning open wide, and the Italian word diletto, meaning delight. The first electromechanical vibrator was created by Dr. Joseph Granville in London in 1880, predating the invention of the electric iron and vacuum cleaner by a decade. However, before this, there were wind-up and steam-powered vibrators, with the first vibrator being constructed in 18th-century France, called the Tremoussoir.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 1880, or 1883 |
| Inventor | Dr Joseph Granville, or Joseph Mortimer Granville |
| Place of invention | London, or France |
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What You'll Learn
The first vibrator was made in the 18th century
The history of sex toys goes back thousands of years, with the first phallic sex toys dating back nearly 28,000 years to the Neolithic Era. These ancient sex toys were made from siltstone and discovered in German caves. The word "dildo" first appeared around 1400 AD, derived from the Latin "dilatare" or "dilatre", meaning "open wide", and the Italian "diletto", meaning "delight". Ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Anatolians in Turkey used various materials, from unripe bananas to camel dung coated in resin, as sexual enhancers.
However, the focus of this narrative is on a specific type of sex toy: the vibrator. The first vibrator was created in the 18th century, marking a significant departure from its prehistoric predecessors. This pioneering invention, known as the "Tremoussoir", originated in 18th-century France. It was a portable, wind-up device crafted by doctors, setting the stage for the subsequent evolution of vibrators.
The Tremoussoir was not electrically powered, but the pursuit of mechanical innovation in this realm persisted. In the mid-19th century, experiments with wind-up vibrators were underway, yet they lacked sufficient power and endurance. This led to the emergence of alternative power sources, such as steam. In 1869, American physician George Taylor created a steam-powered vibrator known as the "Manipulator". This invention marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of vibrators, introducing the concept of mechanical power to the field of sexual aids.
The late 19th century witnessed the introduction of electromechanical vibrators, signalling a new era in vibrator technology. By the early 1880s, London physician Dr. Joseph Mortimer Granville patented the world's first electromechanical vibrator, which featured detachable vibratodes. This invention predated electric irons and vacuum cleaners by about a decade, showcasing the priority placed on sexual pleasure and relief.
The vibrator's journey continued into the 20th century, with the early 1900s witnessing a respectable market for these devices. Women proudly displayed their vibrators, which were marketed as massagers for bodily ailments and beauty aids. However, the late 1920s brought a shift as vibrators began appearing in early pornographic films, causing them to disappear from polite society. Despite this, the sexual revolution of the 1960s brought a resurgence in the popularity of vibrators, with demand among women soaring as they began taking control of their bodies and seeking improved sex toys.
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It was originally a medical device
The first electric dildo, or vibrator, was created by a physician named Dr. Joseph Granville in 1880. It was also referred to as the Tremoussoir and was a portable, electromechanical device. Before this, an American physician named George Taylor invented a steam-powered version of the device in 1869, known as the Manipulator. These devices were originally created as medical devices to treat female hysteria and were not considered sexual aids.
The term "hysteria" comes from the Greek "hysterika," meaning uterus. In the 6th century BC, a Greek physician named Aretaeus theorized that the womb could move freely around a woman's body, causing ill physical and mental health. "Hysteria" was then used to describe a range of ailments, including anxiety, insomnia, agitation, and sensual thoughts. Doctors in the 13th century questioned whether women had libidos and suggested using sex toys to ease their sexual angst.
In the 19th century, industrialization transformed many aspects of life, including medicine. Vibrators were originally introduced into the home as household appliances or "massagers" for bodily ailments and "beauty aids." They were only the fifth household appliance to be electrified, powered by large motors. By 1909, vibrators had a respectable market, with articles about them appearing in publications such as Good Housekeeping. Women even displayed their vibrators until the late 1920s, when their appearance in early pornographic films caused them to disappear from polite society.
Despite their original medical purpose, physicians were aware of the potential for masturbatory use. A 1912 men's advice book warned against the use of electric vibrators for genital massage, comparing it to masturbation. Victorian doctors also understood the female orgasm and the function of the clitoris, with some even going so far as to remove them as a "cure" for nymphomania. Thus, while the first electric dildos were introduced as medical devices, their potential for sexual pleasure was not lost on the medical community or the general public.
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The word 'dildo' is derived from Latin and Italian
The word "dildo" is believed to have originated around 1400 AD, deriving from the Latin word "dilatare," meaning "open wide," and the Italian word "diletto" or "delight."
The use of dildos dates back over 28,000 years, with ancient excavations revealing phallic objects made from stone, wood, leather, and even camel dung. Ancient Anatolians in Turkey used sculptures of sex organs during the 6th century BC to ward off evil spirits, believing they held special powers. In ancient Greece, merchants in the city of Miletus produced and sold "olisbos," leather dildos lubricated with olive oil, for wives to use in their husbands' absence. These devices were also employed in Renaissance Italy, with high-class members of society often displaying their sex toys, which were made from silver, gold, and ivory.
The first dildos reached the UK in the 1500s, and the word "dildo" began to appear in English literature around this time. The earliest recorded use of the term is in Thomas Nashe's "The Choise of Valentines or the Merie Ballad of Nash his Dildo" (c. 1593). The word "dildo" has since spread to various languages worldwide, with different names and nuances.
While the exact etymology of the word "dildo" remains uncertain, the Latin and Italian roots provide a fascinating insight into the historical usage and cultural significance of these objects, reflecting the creativity and diversity inherent in human sexual expression.
As for electric dildos, or vibrators, the first electric vibrator was invented by English physician Joseph Mortimer Granville in 1883, although some sources cite the year as 1880. These devices were originally intended to treat female hysteria and uterine complaints, not as sexual aids. However, Victorian doctors were aware of the female orgasm and the function of the clitoris, and some even removed clitorises as a "cure" for nymphomania.
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Vibrators were initially powered by wind-up mechanisms
The history of vibrators dates back to the 18th century when the first vibrator, called the Tremoussoir, was invented in France. It was a portable, wind-up device created by doctors. These early vibrators were powered by wind-up mechanisms, marking the beginning of mechanical stimulation devices.
The Tremoussoir was a precursor to the electric vibrators that would follow in the late 19th century. Before the advent of electricity-powered devices, wind-up mechanisms were the primary means of operating vibrators. These early vibrators were likely based on the concept of providing mechanical stimulation through repetitive motion.
The wind-up vibrators of the time were likely designed to address specific medical concerns. Doctors in the 19th century believed that vibrators could be used to treat female hysteria, a term derived from the Greek "hystera" meaning uterus. The idea of treating hysteria through mechanical stimulation can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who associated the womb with various physical and mental ailments.
The wind-up vibrators of the 18th and 19th centuries laid the foundation for the development of more advanced electric vibrators. In the late 19th century, physicians like Dr. Joseph Granville and George Taylor contributed to significant advancements in vibrator technology. Dr. Joseph Granville created the first electromechanical vibrator in 1880, while George Taylor invented a steam-powered version called the Manipulator in 1869.
While the early wind-up vibrators played a pivotal role in the evolution of sexual aids, they were often associated with medical treatments rather than sexual pleasure. It wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that vibrators began to be marketed and sold as household appliances for bodily ailments and "beauty aids." Despite their initial medical purpose, the development of wind-up vibrators set the stage for the eventual recognition of women's pleasure and the evolution of vibrators as sex toys.
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They were used to treat 'hysteria'
The use of vibrators to treat hysteria has a long and complex history. The term hysteria comes from the Greek 'hysterika', meaning uterus. In the 6th century BC, a Greek physician named Aretaeus theorised that the womb could move freely around a woman's body, causing ill physical and mental health. Since then, "hysteria" has been used to describe a multitude of ailments, especially in women, including anxiety, insomnia, agitation, sensual thoughts, aggression, fainting, nymphomania, and farting.
In the 13th century, doctors questioned whether women had libidos and suggested using sex toys to ease their sexual angst. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that vibrators were invented by Western doctors to masturbate hysterical women. Before the invention of the vibrator, doctors would perform "pelvic massages" on women, sending them on their way.
The first vibrator was constructed in 18th-century France. It was called the Tremoussoir and was a portable, wind-up device made by doctors. The first electromechanical vibrator was invented by Dr Joseph Granville in 1880 (or 1883 according to some sources). This predated the invention of electric irons and vacuum cleaners by a decade. By 1909, vibrators had a respectable market, with articles appearing in publications such as Good Housekeeping. However, they were marketed as "massagers" for bodily ailments and "beauty aids", and their use was not considered sexual.
In the 1920s, the ruse was spoiled when vibrators began appearing in pornographic films and magazines, and they promptly disappeared from polite society. However, the sexual revolution of the 1960s brought a rebirth in the popularity of vibrators, as women began taking control of their bodies and searching for better toys. The 1970s saw serious improvements in the design of vibrators, with the invention of the Hitachi Magic Wand, which is still sold and used today.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electromechanical vibrator was created in 1880 by London physician Dr. Joseph Granville.
The first electric dildo was called the Tremoussoir.
This information is not available. However, dildos made of stone, wood, leather, silver, gold, ivory, and even camel dung have been discovered during excavations or mentioned in historical writing and artifacts.
The first electric dildo was invented by London physician Dr. Joseph Granville.
The first electric dildo was originally used to treat female hysteria, not as a sexual aid.
