io9
Ladies! Are you suffering from Nervous Debility, Spinal Complaints, Rheumatism, Paralysis, Numbness, Dyspepsia, Liver and Kidney Troubles, Impaired Circulation, or Constipation? Perhaps you are troubled by those annoying Diseases Peculiar To Women (and I think you know what I mean). Then Dr. Scott's Electric Corset is for you! Get a closer look and find out more after the jump.
More than a product, the electric corset was science in action. Let's hear from a satisfied user, in this case, a fashion writer from the New York Times who tried the corset out (or at least took Dr. Scott's advertising to heart) in 1887:
The improved corset which is attracting so much attention from the lady portion of the community which values a corset for its ability to perform the duties demanded of it, is the electric corset which Dr. Scott has introduced, to the everlasting benefit of its fair wearers. These corsets are constructed on purely scientific principles, and while they are thoroughly charged with electro-magnetism, they impart no shock to the body, but rather a delightful sensation, rendering instant relief in many instances from the severe aches and pains to which all flesh is heir.Not surprisingly, Dr. Scott had a full line of other electric products, including hair brushes for humans and curry combs for horses. Hard to believe he is considered a Great American Quack.
Comments
And it's "absolutely unbreakable!" Just what I want to hear about an electrical device that's crushing my ribs.
@DorothyZbornak:
what happens if it rains?
well how nice that he did so much to pay attention to "the lady portion of the community" (I'm so using that).
I can't get my girlfriend into the corset, I'll be damned if she'll go in for the electric-shocks...
So... it just had magnets? Like they sell today?
also, love the irony that most of the Complaints were probably caused by wearing corsets in the first place.
@Evil Tortie's Mom: Nah, it used special 19th Century Medical Magnets --y'know, the kind dipped in cocaine.
Wait, someone combined into a device, a hellish contraption that made it impossible for women to breathe with electrocution? He deserves a special circle in hades.
I'm just glad that each corset is stamped with the English coat of arms! Who doesn't like lingerie that looks official?! (note appropriate use of interrobang)
@Evil Tortie's Mom: That's my understanding - but Gray_Area said it sooooo much better!
@Annalee Newitz: A Fun Fact About Me: The interrobang is my favorite punctuation mark.
@Lynn Peril: Really?!
I wonder if you get a Carbolic Smoke Ball free with purchase.
@taxbaby: No, but you did get a nifty silver-plated compass to show you that your corset was juiced up and ready to go. Here's one that came with the Electric Brush.
[www.americanartifacts.com]
"many instances from the severe aches and pains to which all flesh is heir"
For a quack, he sure likes cribbing from Shakespeare.
@Grey_Area: Weren't some of the 19th Century Miracle Medical Magnets coated in morphine?!
That'd make you feel better.
@Evil Tortie's Mom: Ah yes, but NCMM Magnets were-- of course--bipolar.
From "Third Rock from the Sun:"
"They call it the 'Shatner!'"
Dr. Scott!
Janet!
Brad!
Rocky! (Unh!)
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