Ep. 329: Antique Vibrator Museum: Bees, Buffalos & Stigma [REMASTERED]
Mon Feb 02 2026
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/
meredith@meredithforreal.com
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/
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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/ meredith@meredithforreal.com 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/