‘Passion & Power: The Technology of Orgasm’

Posted by Sarah Cervone on November 11, 2008 
Filed Under Events

From November 14–20, the film Passion & Power: The Technology of Orgasm will be playing at the Hippodrome State Theatre.

This is the story of one simple invention, the vibrator, and its relationship to one complex human behavior, the female orgasm. The history of the vibrator and its medical use had virtually vanished until historian, Rachel Maines, researching needlework patterns in early 20th century women’s magazines, ran across ads for electric vibrators.

Piquing her curiosity, she traced the origins of this early electrified appliance and made an astonishing discovery. Under the guise of a medical treatment, Victorian doctors had used vibrators to relieve women of symptoms of hysteria. Symptoms of hysteria were vague – being cranky, reading French novels while wearing tight corsets, etc. It was a disease manufactured by doctors creating a lucrative clientele and a mutually camouflaged procedure that satisfied both. This film looks at the evolution of women’s sexual satisfaction from its use by Victorian doctors to its resurgence during the sexual revolution of the 1970s and on to its status today, when in some states laws still exist that restrict the number of vibrators one may own. 2008/ 74 mins/ USA/ NR

For viewing times and ticket prices visit the Hippodrome website.

Comments

2 Responses to “‘Passion & Power: The Technology of Orgasm’”

  1. Danielle on November 12th, 2008 11:42 am

    The website for the Theatre doesn’t work.

  2. Lance Gravlee on November 12th, 2008 8:24 pm

    Thanks for pointing out the problem, Danielle. It looks like something strange is happening with the Hipp’s website, but I’ve updated the link to a page that initially produces an error but then automatically refreshes to the right page.

    You can also call the Hipp Box Office directly at (352) 375-4477.