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Did you know that the invention of steam-powered vibrator was motivated by medical needs?

In Victorian era, doctors used to diagnose women suffering from a wide range symptoms as having 'hysteria'. The symptoms could range from nervousness to sexual desire, and were attributed to a 'wandering womb' within the body. It was a common belief that this condition needed to be treated, often by manual manipulation carried out by physicians themselves.

However, this procedure was time-consuming and strenuous for doctors. Enter British physician, Dr. Joseph Mortimer Granville, who, in the 1880s, invented the first electromechanical vibrator, dubbed "Granville's Hammer", originally designed to relieve muscle pain. Ironically, Granville did not promote the use of his invention for female sexual stimulation and was aghast at the idea it would be used therapeutically for this purpose. Yet, due to convenience and efficiency, it quickly transitioned into a tool for treating ‘hysteria’ in women.

Despite the dubious medical theories of the time, Dr . Granville's invention incidentally contributed to women's sexual health, paving the way for the modern sex toys industry.

Tags: #VictorianEra #InventionStory #HistoricalTwist