An American company called Hamilton Beach patented the first electric vibrator for retail sale in 1902. The home or 'non doctor' vibrators soon became very popular, with advertisements in magazines such as Needlecraft, Woman's Home Companion, Modern Particular, and the Sears and Roebuck catalogue. In the 1920s however, with the advent of pornographic films featuring vibrators, this open use and advertising of such devices was no longer deemed acceptable in polite society.

We've obviously moved on a lot since those times, with the vibrator now commonplace in many bedroom drawers, and with many places to buy them from on the high street as well as online. Some will still turn up their noses at the mention of sex toys, but for many they have become a natural and fun way to enhance the enjoyment of sex.

The Modern Vibrator

Millions of vibrators have been sold to both men and women in the years since they were popularised. Some never use them for anything other than relief from muscular tension or to relieve aches and pains. There are many sold simply as body massagers for this purpose. The vast majority are however designed and sold with one purpose in mind, to use as adult toys either alone or with a partner for sexual satisfaction.

Vibrators are reported by some as their favourite way to achieve a rapid orgasm when compared to other methods. Also some say that vibrators give stronger orgasms than those from manual stimulation alone. Sex therapists sometimes recommend them for women who have difficulty reaching orgasm by other means. Couples also use them as an enhancement to manual or oral stimulation of their partners.

The majority of modern vibrators are battery powered, while run from a power cord that plugs into a socket. There's also a vibrator available that uses the flow of air from a vacuum cleaner to stimulate the clitoris. Some of the latest designs allow for the synchronization of vibrations to music from an MP3 player, or even from signals generated from your partner's mobile phone.

Types of Vibrator

There is a huge range of vibrators to choose from, and it can be difficult to categorise some of them, but here is a list of basic category types:

Classic Vibrators

Classic vibrators are generally the most basic styles, usually straight up and down, but coming in many different sizes and colours. Typically they have multi-speed vibrations. Traditional vibrators are a good starting point for those who are just discovering the pleasure of adult toys.

Clitoral Vibrators

Clitoral vibrators are often smaller and more discrete than regular vibrators. They're designed in such a way as to give great stimulation directly to your most sensitive spot. Ooh go on you know you want one!

Dual Penetrators

Not satisfied with only one area of stimulation? A dual penetrator vibrator can be used for simultaneous vaginal and anal stimulation for an eye-popping experience!

Finger Vibrators

Sometimes just a small device to slip on your finger, sometimes a glove to cover your hand. These vibrators add an extra dimension to personal massage and are great for stimulation of the clitoris as well as all over massage.

Flexible Vibrators

For when you want to reach a particular spot that others just can't get to.

G-Spot Vibrators

These vibrators are either curved, or are designed with a curving tip to help reach deep into your vagina in order to access the elusive and sensitive g-spot area.

Jelly Vibrators

These vibrators are made from a softer, jelly-like material (though not wobbly!) This gives them a warmer and more natural feel. They come in a huge range range of shapes and colours. Jelly vibrators look good and feel great.

Novelty Vibrators

Novelty vibrators come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some weird, some very practical, but always great fun. Many are designed to look like something else, in such a way as to have their real purpose cunningly disguised.

Personal Massagers

Perhaps the most discreet of vibrator designs. These are great for women or men who enjoy the thrill of erotic or remedial massage without the instrument actually looking like a sex toy!

Rabbit Vibrators

Can’t decide whether you want a vibrator for insertion or clitoral stimulation? Well, these are the vibrators for you. Rabbit vibrators are a multi-function toy. They have a shaft that rotates, vibrates or thrusts inside the vagina while a clitoral stimulator takes care of the important part! Rabbit and pearl vibrators are fast becoming the most popular of sex toys.

Realistic Vibrators

Realistic vibrators are designed to very closely resemble the penis. They do tend to be more expensive but are great for those of you who want the look and feel of the real thing.

Remote Control Vibrators

For those occasions when you want a little stimulation - any time, anywhere! Remote control vibrators can be worn wherever you like to relieve tension any time you get the urge. Sometimes they're built into a pair of panties, other are held in place by straps or even internally. With these toys you can either pleasure yourself when you please, or if you prefer... give the control to someone else and wait to see what happens.

Strap On Vibrators

Perhaps the ultimate in self pleasuring sex toys, the hands-free strap on kind. Just tie them on, hit the button, lie back and enjoy!

Waterproof Vibrators

Many vibrators are designed to be water resistant to some extent, but there are some built specifically with water in mind so you enjoy them in the bath or shower.