# Dildos--er, vibrators--er, personal massagers. Buy now!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [April 24, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242 "2010-04-24T21:05:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/1 "2010-04-24T21:05:24Z")
Is it just me finally noticing how many vibrators and stimulators are available in mail order catalogs, or are there more of them listed than there used to be?
They’re in everything from Dr. Leonard’s to Vermont Country Store (“intimate solutions”: [The Best of Vermont from The Vermont Country Store to your door!](http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Apothecary/Intimate-Solutions/D/30002/P/1:100:1000:10120)) now.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/2 "2010-04-24T21:24:00Z")
That’s nothing new. They were commonly available via the Sears Catalogue and Monkey Wards (to name only a few catalogues) back in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
If you want to learn lots about the history of the vibrator, check out [Passion and Power: The technology of orgasm](http://www.technologyoforgasm.com/)
> [@](#):
>
> This is the story of one simple invention, the vibrator, and its relationship to one complex human behavior, the female orgasm. The history of the vibrator and its medical use had virtually vanished until historian, Rachel Maines, researching needlework patterns in early 20th century women’s magazines, ran across ads for electric vibrators. Piquing her curiosity, she traced the origins of this early electrified appliance and made an astonishing discovery. Under the guise of a medical treatment, Victorian doctors had used vibrators to relieve women of symptoms of hysteria by masturbating them to orgasm.
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### Author:  [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/3 "2010-04-24T21:26:03Z")
Interesting. Maybe I just wasn’t looking at the right pages before.
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### Author:  [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2010, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/4 "2010-04-24T21:42:40Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#):
>
> That’s nothing new. They were commonly available via the Sears Catalogue and Monkey Wards (to name only a few catalogues) back in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
>
> If you want to learn lots about the history of the vibrator, check out [Passion and Power: The technology of orgasm](http://www.technologyoforgasm.com/)
Vibrators have been available for quite a long time now, but I think that more mail order catalogs are carrying them. I do remember seeing them in catalogs when I was growing up in the 60s, though they were marketed as personal massagers, and the female model was shown applying it to her neck or shoulder, but she had a dreamy smile on her face. The shops that wanted to be trendy or edgy (such as Spencer Gifts) would display vibrators openly. However, other stores, especially pharmacies, also carried vibrators, but behind the counter and you had to ask for them.
Vermont Country Store made the decision to start carrying them in the past couple of years. They had a little negative feedback, but most of the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
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### Author:  [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)
#### Post date: [April 26, 2010, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/5 "2010-04-26T08:12:17Z")
The Master wiggles
> **[Did Victorian era doctors use vibrators to treat hysteric female patients...](https://www.straightdope.com/21343849/did-victorian-era-doctors-use-vibrators-to-treat-hysteric-female-patients-with-orgasm-therapy)**
This kinda makes a ya proud
> [@](#):
>
> Vibrators were among the first electric appliances marketed for home use
to hell with tooth brushes and razors, build me something to get me off
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### Author:  [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)
#### Post date: [April 26, 2010, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/6 "2010-04-26T11:02:19Z")
I have read the Vermont Country Store catalog since I was a wee lass as my Mom gets it. So, sitting at her house, reading her junk mail magazines and seeing the VCS is like an old friend . Finding out they starting selling Vibrators nearly made me fall off my chair laughing so hard. THAT generation and VIBRATORS just doesn’t mesh in my mind. But, I was really impressed with them for making that decision.
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### Author:  [@optimisticcynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/optimisticcynic)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/7 "2010-04-27T01:01:14Z")
Thank whomever for this invention. Any lady who doesn’t own at least two is missing out.
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### Author:  [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/8 "2010-04-27T01:22:57Z")
[The Walmart Vibrating Cock Ring](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Trojan-Vibrating-Ring-Condom-1-Ct/10319365)
[The Walmart fingertip vibrator](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Her-Pleasure-Fingertip-Vibrating-Touch-Massager/13908155)
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### Author:  [@Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Long_Time_First_Time)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/9 "2010-04-27T01:34:32Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#):
>
> I have read the Vermont Country Store catalog since I was a wee lass as my Mom gets it. So, sitting at her house, reading her junk mail magazines and seeing the VCS is like an old friend . Finding out they starting selling Vibrators nearly made me fall off my chair laughing so hard. THAT generation and VIBRATORS just doesn’t mesh in my mind. But, I was really impressed with them for making that decision.
Do they come in flannel or plaid ?
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### Author:  [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/10 "2010-04-27T01:41:37Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#):
>
> [The Walmart Vibrating Cock Ring](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Trojan-Vibrating-Ring-Condom-1-Ct/10319365)
> [The Walmart fingertip vibrator](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Her-Pleasure-Fingertip-Vibrating-Touch-Massager/13908155)
Looks like Sams Choice might want to expand to Samantha’s Choice too.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/11 "2010-04-27T01:57:36Z")
> [@optimisticcynic](#):
>
> Thank whomever for this invention. Any lady who doesn’t own at least two is missing out.
Interestingly, the 5th Circuit court of appeals has ruled that Texas’ laws against selling and owning vibrators are unconstitutional, while the 11th Circuit court of appeals has ruled that Alabama’s very similar laws against selling and owning vibrators are constitutional.
I wonder if this question will end up in the Supreme Court? 🆒
> **[Texas obscenity statute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_obscenity_statute)**
>
> The Texas obscenity statute is a statute prohibiting the sale of sex toys in Texas. The law was introduced in 1973, and was last updated in 2003. While the law was never formally repealed, in 2008 a U.S. District Judge released a report declaring it to be "facially unconstitutional and unenforceable."
> In 1973, the Texas Legislature passed Section 43.21 of the Texas Penal Code, which, in part, prohibited the sale or promotion of "obscene devices." The statute defines "obscene device" as "a device...
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### Author:  [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/12 "2010-04-27T02:41:37Z")
> [@Long\_Time\_First\_Time](#):
>
> Do they come in flannel or plaid ?
I’m sure it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing when you use their products… 🙂
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### Author:  [@palacheck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palacheck)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/13 "2010-04-27T02:58:25Z")
When are the “pocket pussies” going to start appearing in these catalogs?
Let Granpuh get in on the sex toy action!
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### Author:  [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/14 "2010-04-27T04:51:19Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#):
>
> I have read the Vermont Country Store catalog since I was a wee lass as my Mom gets it. So, sitting at her house, reading her junk mail magazines and seeing the VCS is like an old friend . Finding out they starting selling Vibrators nearly made me fall off my chair laughing so hard. THAT generation and VIBRATORS just doesn’t mesh in my mind. But, I was really impressed with them for making that decision.
My 83 year old mom was shocked, shocked to see them show up in the Full of Life catalog, which mostly carries stuff for the older folks and people with mobility issues. “Mom,” I said, “they’re just massagers.” 😃
yeah…Massagers shaped like real penises.
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### Author:  [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/15 "2010-04-27T04:59:15Z")
> [@optimisticcynic](#):
>
> Thank whomever for this invention. Any lady who doesn’t own at least two is missing out.
Which ones/types do you consider among the best?
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### Author:  [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/16 "2010-04-27T08:39:56Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#):
>
> (“intimate solutions”: [The Vermont Country Store | Practical & Hard-to-Find Goods](http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Apothecary/Intimate-Solutions/D/30002/P/1:100:1000:10120))
“Lyman Orton, **Prop.** ” He sure is, with those available.
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### Author:  [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/17 "2010-04-27T09:01:26Z")
Submitted for your approval
> **[File:Vibration-is-life.jpg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vibration-is-life.jpg)**
>
> This image was moved to Commons by User:EvaK (here: EvaK) with the tool CommonismNow.
> This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or fewer.
> https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/PDMCreative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0falsefalse Click on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time.
sears catalog 1918
> **[File:Sears vibrators.jpg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sears_vibrators.jpg)**
>
>
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> You cannot overwrite this file. There are no pages that use this file.
from the wiki article on ‘female hysteria’
> [@](#):
>
> While physicians of the period acknowledged that the disorder stemmed from sexual dissatisfaction, they seemed unaware of or unwilling to admit the sexual purposes of the devices used to treat it.[1] In fact, the introduction of the speculum was far more controversial than that of the vibrator.[1]
Weird
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### Author:  [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/18 "2010-04-27T09:48:15Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#):
>
> They’re in everything from Dr. Leonard’s to Vermont Country Store (“intimate solutions”: [The Vermont Country Store | Practical & Hard-to-Find Goods](http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Apothecary/Intimate-Solutions/D/30002/P/1:100:1000:10120)) now.
Finally some truth in advdrtising. A friend gave me one of [these](http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Apothecary/Intimate-Solutions/Personal-Massager/D/30100/P/1:100:1000:10120/I/f54430?evar3=BROWSE), which is advertised as being discrete. Neither of us knew that it was a vibrator, and only just now did I learn what it really is for.
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### Author:  [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/19 "2010-04-27T12:22:34Z")
Did Dr. John Kellogg’s Battle Creek, MI sanatorium boast of these vibrators?
I recall that wacky movie (“The Road to Wellville”)-and I seem to recall all kinds of stimulator-type machines there.
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### Author:  [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2010, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dildos-er-vibrators-er-personal-massagers-buy-now/537242/20 "2010-04-27T13:12:05Z")
> [@Long\_Time\_First\_Time](#):
>
> Do they come in flannel or plaid ?
No flannel or plaid, but there is a [Ducky](http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Apothecary/Intimate-Solutions/Personal-Massager/D/30100/P/1:100:1000:10120/I/f54430?evar3=BROWSE)
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