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/

https://twitter.com/carolqueen

BlueSky @carolqueen.bsky.socia

Host:  

https://www.meredithforreal.com/  

https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/ 

[email protected]

https://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal 

 https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert 

Sponsors: 

https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ 

https://www.historicpensacola.org/about-us/ 

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

Request to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/