How old is the oldest vibrator? Does self-pleasure steal affection from your partner?

Carol Queen has a Ph.D. in Sexology & a passion for pleasure. She is the curator of the Good Vibrations Antique Vibrator Museum in San Francisco, CA. In this episode, she shares the origin story of the museum & explains how vibrators went from doctor’s offices to bedside tables. She also explains why partner sex & self-sex are different activities, why pleasure should be a part of sex ed & addresses common vibrator concerns.

This episode originally aired March 7, 2022.

If you like this episode, you’ll also like episode 214: WHAT ARE RULES OF MONOGAMY? THE PSYCHOLIGIST SWINGER

Guest:

http://antiquevibratormuseum.com/ 

https://carolqueen.com/

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BlueSky @carolqueen.bsky.socia

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01:20 — What is a sexologist, actually?

04:45 — How the Antique Vibrator Museum started

07:35 — The one vibrator with a confirmed sex history

08:05 — The hippie-built DIY vibrator story

08:55 — What early vibrators looked like

09:30 — Hand-crank vibrators before electricity

11:10 — Cleopatra’s bee vibrator myth

11:55 — Papyrus boxes, gourds, and historical speculation

14:20 — Treating “hysteria” with vibration

18:05 — Why vibrators beat toasters in 1917

18:45 — What this says about women’s pleasure historically

19:35 — Was sex really that bad back then?

21:00 — The orgasm gap explained

22:20 — The wandering uterus theory (yes, really)

23:10 — Masturbation stigma and cultural norms

25:30 — Fear: “Will a vibrator replace my partner?”

26:40 — Fear: “Will I damage my nerves?”

27:20 — Temporary numbness vs long-term harm

28:05 — Feeling intimidated choosing a vibrator

30:05 — Where to get trustworthy vibrator guidance

30:40 — Good Vibrations resources and educators

31:15 — Carol’s book and recommended reading

31:55 — Where to follow Dr. Carol Queen

32:30 — Final thoughts on curiosity, pleasure, and stigma

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