Sexual armour patent, 1908 C024 / 3617
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Sexual armour patent, 1908 C024 / 3617
Sexual armour patent, 1908. Artwork of a device invented by American nurse Ellen E. Perkins. It was designed to be worn by male and female asylum patients to prevent masturbation. The armour was made from a cloth based body suit and featured a metal crotch (seen here in side view) that could only be opened using a key. The artwork shows how the crotch flap opened (dotted lines) could open. The front portion of the crotch flap was perforated (lower right) to allow passage of urine. Masturbation was considered by some at the time to be one of the causes of insanity. See image C024/3620 for full design
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Media ID 10849612
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1908 Armour Design Designs Device Diagram Drawing Engineering Invention Machine Mechanical Patent Vintage Chastity Chastity Belt Masturbation
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the intriguing "Sexual Armour Patent, 1908 C024/3617" invented by American nurse Ellen E. Perkins. Designed with a noble intention to prevent masturbation among male and female asylum patients, this unique device was truly ahead of its time. The patent artwork reveals a cloth-based body suit featuring a metal crotch, which could only be unlocked using a key. In this side view depiction, we witness how the crotch flap ingeniously opens along dotted lines when unlocked. Notably, the front portion of the flap is perforated to allow for proper urine passage. This invention reflects the prevailing belief during that era that masturbation was linked to insanity. The historical significance of this artwork lies in its representation of early 20th-century technology and engineering advancements in North America. It serves as an artifact from an era where chastity devices were considered viable solutions for societal concerns surrounding sexual behavior. Ellen E. Perkins' design exemplifies her innovative thinking and dedication towards finding practical solutions within healthcare settings at that time. As we explore this image further, it offers us valuable insights into both technological progress and social attitudes prevalent in the United States during the early 1900s.
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