How the Magic Wand Came to Be: What's All the Buzz About?
Hello my beautiful, gorgeous, vulva-owning friends – or penis owners that want to learn more about this iconic piece of history – today, we’re talking about one of our all-time favorite toys at WinkWink. Yup, you guessed it: the Magic Wand!!! An icon, a symbol, a goddess of a creation, from when it was first sold in the 1960s alllll the way into 2022, when it is still somehow one of the most sought-after vibrators in the industry. Trust us – it’s been nicknamed the Cadillac of vibrators for a reason ;)
Not only does the Magic Wand offer some of the most consistent, unfailing pleasure to vulva-owners around the world, it also has an incredibly fascinating history behind it that many people don’t know! Especially if you’re in the 20-30 year-old age range, you may remember finding a wand in your mom’s nightstand or seeing one in your friend’s mom’s bathroom drawer back in the 70s (you’re not alone in that experience!).
So this article is going to take you on a little journey through the history of the Magic Wand (yes, this is the same one that used to be called the Hitachi Magic Wand – we’ll explain that a little later!), how it came to be, and what the buzz is all about – puns 100% intended there ;)
After we take you on a little walk down memory lane with all the fascinating events that led to the rise of popularity in the Magic Wand + its iconic status among vulva-owners everywhere, we’ll walk you through the toy specifications, its pros & cons, and how to figure out if its the right vibe for you. Finally, we’ll wrap up with some FAQ’s we often get about the Magic Wand, juuust in case you still have a question you’re dying to get answered!
Ready to learn all about the infamous toy that has made hundreds of thousands of women’s minds be blown, toes be curled, sheets be grabbed, and O’s be had over the years?!
The Magic Wand Through the Years: How it Came to Be
You’ll probably be surprised as you learn about the history behind the (previously Hitachi) Magic Wand – unfortunately, it’s not fully the story of rebellious, sex-positive, powerful feminism you might’ve hoped for. Luckily, though, there are some pretty kickass women that helped fix that, and turn the toy into what it is today.
Its origin as a “body massager” for sore muscles
Fun fact: the Hitachi Magic Wand wasn’t even originally created as a vibrator! Who knew?!
When it was initially trademarked by the Hitachi Sales Corporation all the way back in 1968 through the U.S. Patent Office, the wand was registered as an “electric massager” – specifically, it was first marketed as a body massager for “relieving tension & muscle soreness!”
We’d agree that it’s great at relieving tension, but not quite in the way it was originally marketed to consumers as a tool to use all over your body for tired muscles, tense shoulders, stiff necks, etc.
There was even a “Workout” model of the wand that was briefly on the market, which seemed to be aimed specifically at people needing relief from sore muscles as a result of working out – though it’s hard to find accurate information online about how this model was any different than the original Magic Wand.
Soon enough, women started realizing they could push the limits of what the massager was intended for and use it as a massager in a different way: as a vibrator to use during masturbation (or as the more shy population liked to call it, “intimate pleasure” without any overt sexual insinuations)! The wand slowly became known as a multi-use tool that looked like any old household appliance (have you seen the thing? It’s bulky, and not very pretty!) and could be easily shoved into a bathroom drawer without much question, into a toy that women secretly but not-so-secretly used to get themselves off. Whether they were single, had a partner that wasn’t doing it for them, or wanted to add some fun solo time into their routine along with their regular partnered sex, women fawned over this simplistic, powerful tool that delivered some of the most reliable, intense orgasms they’d likely ever experienced.
How endorsements from feminist icons propelled the wand to new levels
As you can imagine, this undercover, super secret sex toy was NOT something that was talked about amongst the general populus back in the 1970s, when the stigma around sex was so powerful that even the words “sex,” “masturbation,” or “orgasm” sent well-mannered folks into a pearl-clutching, air-gasping stance. Women were the lowest priority when it came to sexual pleasure, as the narrative was still so focused on male orgasms, with the assumption that women were just unable to orgasm as quickly, as easily, or at all.
It wasn’t until a few feminist icons took on a significant role in the culture of sex at the time, and used their voices to endorse the Magic Wand as a vibrator, that it really started making leaps & bounds toward the female pleasure it’s now praised for.
Betty Dodson, founder of Bodysex
Ever heard of Betty Dodson? She was a pioneering sexologist starting back in the 60’s, also known as a pioneering sexologist, an evangelist for female self-stimulation, and the women’s guru of self-pleasure. Dodson was the founder of the Bodysex Workshop, an infamous women-only workshop where she taught women how to masturbate in a society where masturbation was kept so hush-hush & on the down low. Not only did she teach the logistics of how to masturbate, and the female anatomy, but she taught women how to connect with their bodies, learn about their erogeneous zones, and heal shame around sex. Truly, the biggest creds to Betty Dodson for doing the hard work for women & their sexual pleasure when the male-focused society wouldn’t dare.
Dodson began to advocate for vibrators in her workshops in the 1970s, and eventually used the Hitachi Magic Wand to teach women how to use them to reach orgasm! She was outspoken about how she loved the dependability & power of the wand compared to the Panabrator by Panasonic she previously used, and even recommended it in one of her many books, Liberating Masturbation, which was published in 1974.
Dell Williams, founder of Eve’s Garden
In the 1970s, a businesswoman named Dell Williams met Betty Dodson at one of her Bodysex Workshops after reading Liberating Masturbation, and it was there that she discovered the power of self-pleasure, including her first introduction to the Magic Wand. Soon after, she had a pretty negative experience buying a wand for herself, but unfortunately an all-too-common one among women in that day and age (and even still in our modern society). When Williams went to buy a Magic Wand, the salesman asked what she planned on using it for in a judgmental, derogatory way, leaving her feeling uncomfortable & realizing that there needed to be a safe, welcoming space for women to sell vibrators to women. That’s why in 1974, she founded the first feminist, woman-owned & operated sex toy business in the country, Eve’s Garden! A true badass.
Joani Blank, founder of Good Vibrations
Later in the 1970s, a Magic Wand was featured on the cover of a book about vibrators, a shock to many shy bookstore-goers simply searching for their next romance novel. The book, titled Good Vibrations, was written by feminist sex educator Joani Blank as a way to teach women about the power of viibrators in self-pleasure. She later found herself wanting a safe, non-creepy way to purchase sex toys as a woman (just as Dell Williams experienced), and eventually founded the original Good Vibrations sex shop in San Francisco. At the time, selling the Magic Wand in her shop made her barely any profits, but she wanted to make them accessible for women just like her!
Hitachi Magic Wand references in pop culture
The Hitachi Magic Wand was only made more famous by a few occurrences in pop culture that were recognized by women across the country, especially its cameos in the ever popular Sex and the City.
Back in a 2002 episode of the TV series, a woman was shown using a neck massager as a vibrator, and the “massager” later made another appearance in season 5, when a woman returned her wand to Sharper Image for failing to get her off.
If you’ve ever seen the 1984 movie Bachelor Party, starring Tom Hanks, you might remember an oh-so-shocking scene where two sex workers arrived to a modest bridal shower instead of the rowdy bachelor party they were supposed to be at, with two Magic Wands in hand!
A drop in the market, a company pullout, & a rebrand
In 2000, Hitachi ran into a conflict with its distributor and took the wand off the market for a period of time, making it hard to find anywhere barring the deep pages of eBay. A new company, Vibratex, took over distribution, and ended up having to entirely omit “Hitachi” from the product name, when Hitachi decided it didn’t want the company name to be attached to a sex toy. Isn’t it crazy how this toy went through such an era of praise for its contribution to the sex-positive feminist movement in the late 1900s, only to be separated from its parent company due to it being sold as a sex toy?!
Finally, Vibratex went through a total rebrand with the Magic Wand in 2013, resulting in simply The Magic Wand, without “Hitachi” anywhere to be seen.
50 years later & still a classic
In 2013, the Magic Wand was named the “Favorite Sex Toy for Women” in the Sex Awards, and now, more than 50 years after its introduction to the market as a body massager, it remains an iconic, highly-praised vibrator known by all in the sex toy industry & vulva-owners alike.
In a 2018 interview with Playboy, sexologist/icon Betty Dodson said, instead of trying out other clitoral vibrators, “When you find something that’s good and it’s solid and it’s worked and it’s always consistent, you kind of stay with it. I guess that’s why people buy the same car every season or whatever. It’s a good machine. It’s clean, it’s solid, it works.”
And we can’t agree more!
Why the Magic Wand Will Never Go Out of Style (Or Run Out of Battery!)
Now that you’re familiar with the fascinating + important history behind this quintessential vibe, let’s get into the specifics of the toy that you need to know before you buy!
Magic Wand specifications:
Wand length: 12”
Head width: 2.25”
Cord length: 6’
Handle material: ABS plastic
Head material: Vinyl*
Vibration modes: 2
*If you’re sharing the wand among multiple partners, we recommend using a condom or dental dam to protect the head & your partners! This is because the head of the wand is porous, meaning it can easily catch dirt, bacteria, and other harmful things, and can be difficult to clean properly.
Key details to know:
- The wand has 2 vibration modes/intensities, the lower speed at 5,000 vibrations/minute and the higher speed at 6,000 – insane!
- You can use water-based lube on the head of your Magic Wand, such as one of our personal faves, the Good Clean Love Water-Based Lube!
Pros & Cons of the Magic Wand: What’s All the Buzz About?
You know allll about the women who contributed to the sex-positive feminist movement back in the 70s by endorsing the Magic Wand – but what exactly makes it O-so-magical?
Below is a list of the pros & cons of the Magic Wand, detailing the important features that have helped it maintain its itconic status over more than 50 years, and what the wand doesn’t offer that many modern wands now do.
Keep in mind that this list is specifically about the Magic Wand Original, NOT the Rechargeable Magic Wand or the Rechargeable Magic Wand Mini!
Pros of the Magic Wand (Original):
The price: it’s $89.99, making it the cheapest of the Magic Wand vibes & comparable to many $100+ high-end wand vibes that are offered nowadays!
It’s corded: you won’t have to worry about this vibe running out of battery mid-session – simply plug it into the nearest outlet and enjoy the vibrations for as loooong as you want! (say goodbye to all those “charge your vibrator” phone reminders you’ve set)
Looking for a rechargeable wand so you don’t have to keep pushing the cord off the bed? Head to the Rechargeable Magic Wand instead, which has 4 speeds, 4 patterns, & a silky, silicone head!
Two modes make it simple: choose between the lower speed, and the higher speed – and that’s it! Easy-peasy pleasure is all we could ask for.
No need to fumble around during sex: because the wand only has two modes, you won’t need to fumble around during partnered sex in order to find the right mode for the mood. The switch is also super easy to navigate & touch without looking at it, as the only options are to flip it up for the high speed, down for the low speed, or back to the center to turn it off!
Want a smaller option so you don’t have to bring this bulky wand into your partnered sex sessions (or hold it during solo time)? Check out the Rechargeable Mini Magic Wand instead – it’s got 3 speeds and a soft, silicone head!
Large head: if you’re a fan of clitoral stimulation via a large vibrator head rather than targeted stimulation, this wand will be your BFF. Move the head to wherever you desire and enjoy the delicious vibrations across the entire head!
Powerful motors: The motors are insanely powerful & rumbly – so powerful that we actually recommend using it over underwear, or some type of layer the first time you try it, since your clit is super sensitive! These oh-so-mighty motors are famous for the intense orgasms they provide, so say goodbye to the quickies you get from one-night stands who rub your outer labia instead of your clit and HELLO to powerful, pleasurable O’s!
Cons of the Magic Wand:
It’s corded: this is both a pro & a con. You won’t need to worry about charging it, but you will have to deal with the cord being plugged in while you use it, which can get in the way of solo or partnered use. If you’d rather go for the rechargeable version, you can find it here!
It’s kinda big & clunky: we won’t lie, the Magic Wand is not the most aesthetic of vibrators! That’s why it did so well in the 1970s, when it looked like any old household appliance or body massager – but if you’re looking for something with a softer material, or a toy that’s flexible, this may not be the one for you.
It’s not waterproof: we looove modern vibrators for many reasons, a main one being that they’re often waterproof – meaning you can take them into the shower or bath with you! Unfortunately, the Magic Wand Original is NOT waterproof, so it’ll have to stay in the bedroom (or the kitchen, the living room, the car. . . ;) wherever it won’t be submerged in water).
There’s only 2 modes: some folks like the simplicity of the 2 modes, but others may be looking for patterned vibrations or more intensity levels to choose from!
The stimulation is broad: if you prefer targeted clitoral stimulation over broad, then the wand might not be what you’re looking for. We’d recommend a vibe with a more pointed, flexible head, such as the VeDo Bam Mini Bullet or the We-Vibe Touch X!
Wand vibrators like the Magic Wand:
Still comparing vibes to figure out which one is right for you & the type of pleasure you’re seeking? Here are the other wands we offer that serve those deep, rumbly vibrations we all love, but may offer different features than the Magic Wand.
Pillow Talk Cheeky Wand: multiple speeds, silicone, smaller
Le Wand Petite: petite, light to hold, 16 vibration modes, available G-spot attachment
Vedo Wini Mini Wand: our smallest wand – true power in the palm of your hand, with a flexible head & 16 vibration modes
Whew, that was a LONG, but fun, ride – just like your solo time will be now with your powerful, rumbly, breathtaking (literally) with your Magic Wand ;) We hope you enjoyed diving into the history behind the Hitachi Magic Wand and how it became such an iconic part of the sex toy industry and sex-positive feminism in general – now go get yourself a wand and find out why Betty Dodson glorified the Magic Wand since the day she discovered it!