Since I am running a sexual novelties web store, it was especially interesting for me to see new Broadway play “In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play”. It’s performed in Lyceum Theatre on Broadway. This play is about 19th century mentality, intimacy and marriage. It transferes you to a different historical period , but it shows the same human problems as we have now.
What fascinates me is how in a world vibrator came to life? Who created it to begin with? It was introduced at the end of 19th Century. It was created in order to treat Hysteria. In fact, vaginal massage was used for treating those diagnoses back at the time of legendary Hippocrates. Improvement made by a electromechanical vibrator was revolutionary. It was large and difficult to move around the floor.
Finally, handheld vibrator was made in the beginning of 20th Century. Unbelievably, the vibrator became one of the first five electrical home appliance offered to general public. It came out after the sewing machine but earlier than the electric iron and vacuum cleaner.
The old ad for vibrators said, “Vibrate Your Body and Make It Well. YOU Have No Right to Be Sick.”.
It’s interesting, that back than people saw the reason for Hysteria as “congestion in your womb,” ”if we can release some of that congestion and invite the juices downwards, your health will be restored.”
This play gives us a history lesson at the same time as making us think, how closed we are in our own room and we can only guess what is going on in the Next Room.
