What's Vibrating?
The electrically powered vibrator was invented in the 1880s by doctors, who had been ostensibly treating women for "hysteria" for centuries by performing what we would recognize as masturbation. At the time, however, not only did doctors regard the "vulvular stimulation" required as having nothing to do with sex, they reportedly found it time-consuming and hard work. The vibrator got the job done more quickly and without such efforts, and as such was extremely popular with doctors.
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Home versions began to appear soon after and became equally popular, with advertisements in places like Needlecraft, Woman's Home Companion, Modern Priscilla and the Sears, Roebuck catalog. These disappeared in the 1920s, apparently because their appearance in pornography made it no longer tenable for polite society to avoid the sexual connotations of the devices.
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In their more common guise as "body massagers", millions of vibrators have been sold to both men and women. Some of the purchasers never use their purchases for anything other than relief from muscular tension or aches and pains. However, many people who purchase vibrators marketed as "body massagers" — and, presumably, most people who purchase vibrators marketed as adult toys — use them to attain sexual pleasure, primarily in masturbation, a form of autoeroticism. Vibrators often allow people to achieve orgasm faster and easier and are often said to provide stronger orgasms than those produced by manual stimulation alone. They are often recommended by sex therapists for women who have difficulty reaching orgasm by other means. Couples also use them sometimes as an enhancement to the pleasure of one or both partners.
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Harper's magazine notes a Durex survey that says 46% of women have vibrators near 2006. This may have been market research relating to their vibrating condom base product.
So many choices, where to begin?
An enormous range of vibrators exist, falling into several broad categories:
- Clitoral Often sold as "back massagers", these are powerful vibrators such as the Hitachi Magic Wand or the Acuvibe.
- Dildo shaped Approximately penis shaped, can be made of plastic, silicone rubber or latex.
- Waterproof Can be used wet, such as in the shower. Although marketed as waterproof, most should not be submerged.
- 'Jackrabbit' or 'Rampant Rabbit' Two pronged for stimulation of both the vagina and the clitoris.
- G-spot Similar to the traditional vibrator but with a curve and often a soft jelly like coating. The curve makes it easier to use to stimulate the g-spot or prostate.
- Egg Egg shaped vibrator which can be used for stimulation of the clitoris or insertion into the vagina
- Pocket Rocket Shaped like a cylinder, one of its ends has some vibrating bulges. It is meant to stimulate the clitoris or nipples, not for vaginal insertion.
- "Undercover" Vibrators discreetly shaped as every-day objects, such as lipstick tubes, cell phones, or art pieces.
- Anal vibrators Vibrators designed for anal use have either a flared base or a long handle to grip, to prevent them from slipping inside and becoming lost.
- 'Butterfly' vibrator strapped around legs and waist for hands free clitoral stimulation during sexual intercourse
- Vibrating Cockring vibrator (usually cordless) inserted in or attached to a cock ring, usually for stimulation of the clitoris
An egg shaped vibrator with remote controlMost vibrators use batteries, but some have a power cord and must be plugged into a wall socket.
Why?
Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation, particularly of one's own genitals and often to the point of orgasm, which is performed manually, by other types of bodily contact (except for sexual intercourse), by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is the most common form of autoeroticism, and the two words are often used as synonyms, although masturbation with a partner (mutual masturbation) is also common. Animal masturbation has been observed in many species, both in the wild and in captivity.
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