Page 18 - AVN Intimate fall 2016

FEAture
The History of O
Ten innovative trends in modern vibrator design
of the Antique Vibrator Museum were sown in 1977, when Blank began displaying old vibrators at her new Good Vibrations store in San
Few individuals can lay claim to providing more perspective on the history of sex toys than Good Vibrations founder Joani Blank. The seeds
Francisco. By 2012, when the Antique Vibrator Museum officially opened its doors to the public, her small collection had evolved into vintage
vibrators from the late 1800s to the 1970s, along with packaging materials, manuals, print ads and other vibrator-related ephemera.
According to sex columnist Anka Radakovich, “The Antique Vibrator Museum in San Francisco is a rare treat. It should be put on everyone’s ‘to
do’ list to see the history of how people ‘did’ themselves. The guided tour by Dr. Carol Queen is hysterical.”
That’s an apt term given the history of the vibrator. Radakovich talks about the facts one can glean on the tour, including the device’s origins in
Victorian times, when “female hysteria” was treated with “pelvic massage,” resulting in “hysterical paroxysm.” She says, “In 1952 the American
Psychiatric Association removed the term ‘hysteria’ from medical textbooks because it was just so ridiculous. ‘Feelin’ horny’ would be have been a
more accurate diagnosis.”
In the 1930s, Radakovich recounts, vibrators became more portable because of new, lighter-weight materials such as aluminum and plastic. They
were now marketed as “beauty products.” And in the uptight 1950s they were considered good for “weight loss.” Notes Radakovich, “Well, they had
a point, as an orgasm burns about 50 to 100 calories.”
But the historical overview at the museum extends only to the ’70s—and clearly vibrators have exploded in popularity since then. In honor of
Blank’s memory, here’s a roundup of 10 innovations that might be documented in a new wing of the museum showcasing modern pleasure toys.
Ergonomics and Erogenous Zones
With the rise of women- and lesbian-focused sex toy stores—starting
with Dell Williams’ Eve’s Garden (which opened in 1973) and
continuing with Joani Blank’s Good Vibrations (1977) and Toys in
Babeland (subsequently Babeland) and Grand Opening! (both 1993)—
the non-phallic toy market began to grow significantly as women
began buying their own pleasure products. In the 1990s, “golden age
of porn” star Candida Royalle developed Natural Contours, her own
line of ergonomically sensitive vibrators, closely followed by German
company Fun Factory’s jaunty, colorful vibrators that could easily be
confused with children’s toys. Today, simple, stylish,
non-phallic designs are showcased by many brands,
including LELO, Jimmyjane, Evolved Novelties, Jopen
and NS Novelties, as well as in collections from the
“big five” pleasure product manufacturers, known as
the founders—for instance, the Silhouette collection
from CalExotics and the whimsical WonderLand
vibrators from Doc Johnson. Other ergonomically
pleasing choices can be found from Ovo and the Vive
line from Shots Toys.
And one cannot omit the impact the Hitachi Magic
Wand has made in the adult marketplace. Beginning with
“Mother of Masturbation” Betty Dodson’s use of the Magic
Wand for the ultimate in orgasmic pleasure the “Cadillac of
Vibrators” broke through barriers to become the go-to massager clitoral excitement, and its latest model from Vibratex continues to be a best seller,
surpassing the original in many ways. The bulbous head has been replicated in
hundreds of similar wand designs, with notable models available in Xgen Products’
Bodywand collection, the Rumble from Tantus and the Wanachi range of vibrators
from Pipedream Products.
The Silicone Age
When Gosnell Duncan came up with the
idea in the late 1960s of using silicone bathtub
caulking to replicate the feel of an erect penis
to be used by disabled men, little did he
realize what an impact he would have in the
adult sex toy industry. The first creator of
the silicone dildo, he sold products to Eve’s
Garden and Good Vibrations and eventually
became known under the brand name of
Scorpio. Another company, Dils for Does, soon
followed—as well as two enterprises that are
still active in the silicone dildo industry
today: Vixen Creations and Tantus.
As the demand for body-safe silicone
products grew, more major companies
began creating not only silicone dildos but
also silicone vibrators. Many now boast silicone
as a major component, making them free of both
phthalates and unwanted scents.
for
The Tongue Is Mightier Than the Sword
Duplicating oral sex in the form of a sex toy has always proven
to be a challenge. In the early 2000s, a realistic mouth vibrator was
created, but it was licked by Lady Calston, who held the patent for a
tongue-like device. Moving away from a design resembling an actual
tongue, the sensation was later re-created by Je Joue’s Sasi. And who can forget
the Sqweel vibe with its Tomi Ungerer-inspired wheel of spinning tongues?
Makin’ a lickin’ and still tickin’ is Lady Calston’s Mini Tongue, the Tireless Tongue
form the company of the same name, and XR Brands’ multi-nubbed Lingus vibe.
And don’t forget the stylish, orb-shaped Ora from LELO. What other body part will
designers use next for orgasmic delight?
18 | INTIMATE | FALL 2016
Beyond the Buzz
Creating vibration with the
basic principle of an off-centered
weight spinning on a single, thin
metal rod powered by a simple
motor, vibrators are the gold
standard of sex toys. But newer
creations have changed that basic
principle. Probably the first one
to create something different was
the Eroscillator, heavily promoted
in the 1980s by the entertainingly
German Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Using
an oscillating motor instead of the
rotating, off-centered weight, the
Eroscillator provided women
with a clitoral thrill and still
remains a strong seller.
Revel Body released an
oscillating orbital sphere with replaceable power
tips that are held magically within the sturdy
round body. Now throw in a powerful thrust