The story of the vibrator's history and its connection to the female orgasm. Historian Rachel Maines discovered that Victorian doctors used vibrators to treat women with hysteria, a condition often mislabeled due to women's lack of sexual satisfaction. Despite almost 70% of women not reaching orgasm through penetration alone, the definition of "real" sex is often limited to male orgasm. The vibrator's popularity declined in the 1920s, but the feminist movement and the introduction of the birth control pill and legalized abortions led to its resurgence. Artist Betty Dodson's accidental discovery of intense orgasms with a barber's scalp massager inspired her to teach women how to use vibrators. Today, some states still ban the sale of vibrators, while advertising and selling Viagra is legal, highlighting the ongoing struggle for sexual freedom and equality.
Passion & Power: The Technology of Orgasm
The story of the vibrator's evolution is brought to light, shedding new light on its unexpected connection to women's sexual satisfaction, uncovering a previously unknown medical history.
