The Curious Introvert Ep. 329: Antique Vibrator Museum: Bees, Buffalos & Stigma [REMASTERED]
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://twitter.com/carolqueen
BlueSky @carolqueen.bsky.socia
Host:
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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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