The Lambert Snyder Health Vibrator
Unlike the La Vida Electric Vibrator, this one was hand-operated. Snyder explained its action in his patent application as follows:
In a general sense my present invention comprises a main staff and a vibrator-head, the latter mounted for movement longitudinally on the staff in such manner that said movement will give a series of shocks to the staff, which may be communicated to the body of a user.
The accompanying drawings suggest it was a bit like a woodpecker toy:
In 1904, a similar invention called the Marvel Vibrator went on the market. Even though it was advertised before Snyder’s patent was granted, he took the Marvel company to court in 1906 for infringement. In their defence, Marvel presented patents for mechanical toys, suggesting that the general idea had been around for ages, but the judge wasn’t buying it and granted Lambert Snyder an injunction.
Boston Daily Globe, 11 August 1904
Tags: 1900s advertising, 20th century, medical devices
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Devices
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