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Good Vibrations: The History of the Sex Toy

The storied history of those toys in your nightstand drawer.

By Amanda Green

Oct 27, 2014

The storied history of those toys in your nightstand drawer.

28,000 B.C.

Paleolithic-era couples keep things exciting with 8-inch siltstone dildos, polished for her pleasure.

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Metal, Brass, Beige, Circle, Material property, Natural material, Earrings, Bronze, Household hardware, Body jewelry,

A.D. 500

Japanese women grab life by the ben-wa balls for sexual satisfaction, on their own or with a partner.

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Space, Darkness, Chemical compound, Smoke, Freezing,

"Getty Images"

1869

Doctors order orgasms to treat female "hysteria." George Taylor, M.D., invents the steam-powered vibrator to relieve women's symptoms.

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Hairstyle, Chin, Forehead, Eyebrow, Style, Jaw, String instrument, Monochrome photography, Portrait, Black-and-white,

"Courtesy of Hamilton Beach"

1902

Blender manufacturer Hamilton Beach makes an electric vibrator, predating the electric iron and vacuum cleaner.

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Technology, Computer accessory, Computer hardware, Office equipment, Laptop part, Personal computer hardware, Majorelle blue, Electric blue, Output device, Gadget,

"Getty Images"

1920s

Vibrators play naughty bit parts in early stag films. (They're silent movies, so the buzz isn't audible.)

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Nose, Lip, Finger, Hairstyle, Chin, Forehead, Eyebrow, Text, Happy, Facial expression,

"Courtesy of Anthony Enterprises"

1966

J.H. Tavel files a patent application for the first cordless vibrator.

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Human, Finger, Shoulder, Human leg, Joint, Standing, Chest, Barechested, Elbow, Abdomen,

"Getty Images"

1974

Women's right activist Dell Williams founds Eve's Garden in New York City, billed as the first women-run sex-toy business.

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Blue, Atmosphere, White, Line, Azure, Black, World, Aqua, Grey, Map,

"Getty Images"

1998

Alabama's Anti-Obscenity Enforcement Act makes it the only state to continue criminalizing the sale of sex toys.

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Human leg, Electronic device, Laptop part, Elbow, Barefoot, Thigh, Knee, Sitting, Waist, Laptop,

"Getty Images"

2004

Couples can have sex remotely with teledildonics, technology that combines sex toys and software.

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Green, Khaki, Symbol, Graphics, Illustration, Drawing,

"Getty Images"

2007

Recyclable dildos, solar-powered vibrators, and organic lube make the green movement sexier than ever.

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Product, Line, Shopping cart, Parallel, Rolling, Coquelicot, Steel, Silver, Cleanliness, Aluminium,

2011

Sex toys go mainstream when Walmart, Target, and drugstore chains stock vibrators.

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Amber, Tan, Bridal accessory, Body jewelry, Metal, Jewellery, Beige, Ivory, Natural material, Gold,

"Courtesy of Crave"

2014

Fashionistas buzz about the Vesper, a sleek silver- or gold-plated necklace that doubles as a vibrator.

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