Passion And Power: The Technology Of Orgasm

Documentary 

This is the story of one simple invention, the vibrator, and its relationship to one complex human experience - the misunderstood female orgasm.

At the turn of the last century, the electric vibrator became a consumer item at the same time as the toaster, and long before the vacuum cleaner.  But the history of the vibrator and its medical use had virtually vanished.  Until historian Rachel Maines, while researching needlework patterns in the early 20th Century women’s magazines, stumbled upon ads for electric vibrators.  After tracing the origins of the vibrator, Rachel made an astonishing discovery. Under the guise of a medical treatment, Victorian doctors had used vibrators to relieve women of symptoms of hysteria.

When vibrators began appearing in blue movies in the 1920s, doctors dropped the treatment and manufacturers stopped advertising. The vibrator went underground only to resurface in the 70s during the feminist movement - but not without conjecture. Even today, the sale of vibrators is illegal in Texas (even though it’s legal to advertise and sell Viagra). 

You’ll be completely fascinated by this humorous and revealing doco that is based on Rachel Maines critically acclaimed book, The Technology of Orgasm.

Official Selection San Francisco Women's Film Festival
Official Selection Philadelphia International Film Festival 

Director Emiko Omori and Wendy Slick
USA, 2007, 74mins