---
title: Medical History of Vibrators
date: 2021-12-01T03:00:00-05:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/medical-history-of-vibrators"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Medical History of Vibrators

This episode of the Maintenance Phase podcast explores the medical history of vibrators. Spoiler: It debunks the popular mythology that vibrators first originated as a tool to treat female “hysteria.”

[Listen to the episode ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vibrators/id1535408667?i=1000543492212)

SOURCE: Apple Podcasts • AUTHOR: Michael Hobbes and Aubrey Gordon • LAST UPDATED: November 30, 2021

![22348606061_6d3bca832a_c](data:image/png;base64,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) theniw/Flickr, [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ sexualities, gender, and relationships](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/sexualities-gender-relationships)
- [solo sex](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/solo-sex)
- [women's health history](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/womens-health-history)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** 

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[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

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##### More to Explore

[ResourcesLook

## A Brief History of Periods/Vagina Museum Period Exhibition Print

Illustrator Hazel Mead created A Brief History of Periods to teach about menstruation throughout history.

![A Brief History of Periods:Vagina Museum Period Exhibition Print](data:image/png;base64,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)

Illustrator Hazel Mead created A Brief History of Periods to teach about menstruation throughout history.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-brief-history-of-periods-vagina-museum-period-exhibition-print)

[ResourcesRead

## Black Midwives Through Time

This timeline, developed by Black midwife Shafia Monroe, provides a brief overview of the long history of Black midwives, from the Biblical Shiphrah and Puah in approximately 1500 BCE.

![nurse-marguerite-white-gives-demonstration-in-postnatal-care-at-mothers-club-e87d9f-1024](data:image/png;base64,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)

This timeline, developed by Black midwife Shafia Monroe, provides a brief overview of the long history of Black midwives, from the Biblical Shiphrah and Puah in approximately 1500 BCE.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/black-midwives-through-time)

[ResourcesRead

## Disabled Sex Yes!: Resources on Sex and Disability

A series from s.e. smith about sex and disability covering a range of issues. Suitable for all ages.

![Pexels eren li 7188960 scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

A series from s.e. smith about sex and disability covering a range of issues. Suitable for all ages.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/disabled-sex-yes-resources-on-sex-and-disability)

[ResourcesRead

## If Men Could Menstruate - A Satire by Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem wrote the satire “If Men Could Menstruate” in the October 1978 issue of Ms Magazine.

![portrait photograph of Gloria Steinem wearing glasses, facing right.](data:image/png;base64,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)

Gloria Steinem wrote the satire “If Men Could Menstruate” in the October 1978 issue of Ms Magazine.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/if-men-could-menstruate)

[ResourcesListen

## Love and Labor: The History of African American Birth Care Providers

This podcast episode from Sexing History explores the history of advocacy of Black doulas, midwives, and other birth attendants.

![all-my-babiesa-midwifes-own-story-a9802b-1024](data:image/png;base64,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)

This podcast episode from Sexing History explores the history of advocacy of Black doulas, midwives, and other birth attendants.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/love-and-labor-the-history-of-african-american-birth-care-providers)

[ResourcesRead

## New Monument Honors "Mothers of Gynecology""

Artist Michelle Browder honors Anarcha, Betsey, Lucy and other unnamed enslaved women who suffered as the unwilling subjects of gynecological experiments.

![Michelle Browder e1669842392529 jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

Artist Michelle Browder honors Anarcha, Betsey, Lucy and other unnamed enslaved women who suffered as the unwilling subjects of gynecological experiments.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/new-monument-honors-mothers-of-gynecology)

[ResourcesRead

## The Historical Significance of Black Doulas and Midwives

This blog post, from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, celebrates the unsung work of African American birth workers, including doulas and midwives.

![Siloam greene county ga vicinity midwife going on a call carrying her kit d977bf 1024 e1687465869116 jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

This blog post, from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, celebrates the unsung work of African American birth workers, including doulas and midwives.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/the-historical-significance-of-black-doulas-and-midwives)

[ResourcesRead

## The Hysterectomy in U.S. History and Today

Article on the history of the hysterectomy as a means of both oppression and liberation.

![uterus-g464208003_1920](data:image/png;base64,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)

Article on the history of the hysterectomy as a means of both oppression and liberation.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/the-hysterectomy-in-us-history-and-today)