Antique Vibrator Museum

Good Vibrations is one of the first female-centered sex toys shops in the country with its main location in San Fransisco and a few others in the bay area. In 1977 Joani Blank opened the first Good Vibrations in the Mission District feeling disappointed in the lack of resources to accurate sex information and quality sex toys. The store has thrived in the bay area for many years providing clean, comfortable shopping environments and promoting sex-positivity.

I was recently talking to a girlfriend of mine about how I would soon need to go on that much anticipated trip to Good Vibrations when she informed me that they are opening an antique vibrator museum in a couple of weeks.

could this really be? YES!

The Antique Vibrator Museum will showcase a collection of vintage vibrator models that date back to the 1880s. Curator and Sexologist Dr. Carol Queen wil also host a tour of the museum and discuss the origins of vibrators (originally marketed for physicians as a way help them treat women's hysteria) and their evolution.!

Above is a very informative sneak peak of Carol Queen explaining the history of vibrators as well as the "hysteria" phenomenon associated with female orgasms.

It is interesting to see how female sexual behavior used to be considered a type of required treatment, orgasms being the only "relief" from female medical issues and ailments defined by doctors and physicians. A medical production of orgasm for payment using massage therapy? Sounds somewhat absurd, but it was very common and even REQUIRED for many women.

here is an excellent article from the New York Times called The Technology of Orgasm by Rachel P. Maines from 1999 that delves into the history of "hysteria" and the invention of vibrators. A solid and very informative read! Below is the "Type A" vibrator from 1902, looks more like a torture device?