Old Vibrators Still Create A Buzz

I know quite a few women who collect antique and vintage vibrators. Many of them find themselves brought into this area from a purely feminist point of view -- fascinated with the vibe's links to "hysteria" and "oppression of women's sexuality".

I have a few of these vintage toys myself... they are not easy to find -- and often they are not easy to identify. For images of some of the devices, see these links:

Another 'history of', with images and details of several antique models.

In Still Shakin, Sarah Klein interviews Mike Campbell of VibratorMuseum.com (which oddly is not linked to in the article, so I provide it here).

Good Vibrations has an online museum of vibrators -- however, once you agree you are old enough to view it, you'll not be taken to it. So, click the first link, 'agree' (if you do agree!) and then hit this second link to see the museum.

For more on vibrators, read A Brief History of Vibrators and Grandma's Secret: The History of the Vibrator. The latter relies much on The Technology of Orgasm; "Hysteria," the Vibrator, and Women's Sexual Satisfaction, by Rachel P. Maines. (And here's a review of the book itself.)

The book is quite the bible in this area; the author and her research have been featured on the Discovery Channel.

There is also an exclusive eBay group for those who collect Vintage Vibrators and Antique Massagers, and a Yahoo group as well.

And, big fans, can include trips to the Sex and Technology exhibition at The Erotic Museum and the Spark of Life exhibit at the Bakken, in their summer travel plans.