Masturbation hasn’t always been so popular or easily accepted as it is today(provided it remains confined between closed doors). Products that claimed to prevent you from “self abuse” were all the range in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here, we take a look at some of the most outrageous – and painful – anti-masturbation contraptions in history.
1. The Jugum Penis – Once upon a time, nocturnal “emissions” were considered to cause a disease called “spermatorrhoea”. While nowadays we understand that this so-called “disease” was really just another word for ‘wet dreams’, men living in the Victorian era were provided with The Jugum Penis, an apparent cure for “spermatorrhoea”. Made out of a metal ring, the device – which resembles a small bear trap – was placed around the base of the penis and held in place by a clip. If a man was to get an erection, the contraption would then snap shut, likely causing a great deal of pain for the “patient”.
2. The Mechanical Sheath – In a nutshell, this device was essentially a chastity belt for men. Positioned over the penis, it was literally impossible to remove without pain or “possible mutilation”. The only way out of this trap, was through a tiny and unique key. Losing it, meant giving up on your sex life altogether.
3. Graham Cracker – Despite still serving as a popular pie crust, Graham Crackers – developed by Sylvester Graham in 1837 – was originally meant to ward off masturbation. Apparently, eating the extremely bland cracker would drastically decrease your lust , thus lowering your “vital fluids”. Now you’ll think twice before eating a s’more.
4. The Bowen Device – Here’s an alternative to shaving you’ll be glad not to have experienced. Despite looking rather tame, The Bowen Device works by clinging to pubic hair. Once the user gets an erection, hairs get ripped out in the process. Razors have never sounded so good.
5. Electric Anti-Masturbation Machine – Unlike what you may think, this contraption wouldn’t necessarily electrocute penises after an erection. Built in France in 1915, it would instead set off an alarm whenever a man had a boner. While I don’t necessarily understand who would volunteer to walk around with a boner announcer, the humiliation aspect alone is sure to have steered them off of masturbating.
