Of all existing types of sex toys, the rabbit vibrator is perhaps the most famous. The rabbit vibrator looks like a ‘Y’, with one part intended for penetration while the other part stimulates the clitoris. The rabbit was one of the first vibrators to look different from the usual vibrators at that time. Since then, the rabbit has evolved a lot.

1983: Vibratex launches their animal vibrators

The rabbit vibrator was originally invented by the Japanese company Vibratex. Due to the strict obscenity laws in that country, Vibratex released sex toys in animal shapes and bright colors. The first three variants were the beaver, the kangaroo and the turtle. This distinguished the company from the manufacturers in China, who mainly used anatomically penis shapes that most resembled uncooked hot dogs. The cheerful colors and cute shapes of the animal vibrators turned out to be a hit with women. In 1983 Vibratex introduced the rabbit vibrator to the American market.

The Vibratex Turtle (no longer available), Rabbit, Kangaroo and Beaver, which debuted in 1983, all had in common that they had some sort of penis shape with a small animal that could stimulate the clitoris.

Shortly after the introduction of the Vibratex line, copies were already on the market. For example, The Beaver was first copied by a company called Ben Wa that no longer exists. Unfortunately for this company, they had not chosen the variant that turned out to be so successful.

1984: The renewed Rabbit Pearl

Due to the success of the Rabbit, the designers of Vibratex started a new variant with rotating pearls in the shaft. The choice for the rabbit had everything to do with the year of birth of Shay Martin, the founder of Vibratex. Martin was born in the year of the rabbit. In addition, the rabbit is a lucky charm in Japan. The Rabbit Pearl sold reasonably well, but was not a big hit … yet.

Susan Colvin’s company CLPC quickly developed a copy that was marketed under the name ‘Jack Rabbit’. Later, when CLPC became defunct, Colvin starts the company CalExotics. She also takes over the Jack Rabbit from CLPC.

1993: Sex shop Babeland

In 1993 the first Babeland sex shop opened its doors in Seatle. They sold, among other things, the Vibratex Rabbit Pearl. Founder Clair Cavanah opened a second branch in New York in 1997. Around that time, a new variant was released, called Rabbit Habbit. The original Rabbit had an external battery compartment with which you also controlled the operation. In the Rabbit Habit, the batteries were integrated and the buttons were on the device. This made operating the Rabbit much more user-friendly.

1998: Sex and the City

The popularity of the Rabbit vibrator got a huge boost thanks to a popular TV series from 1998. The makers of ‘Sex and the City’ visited sex shop ‘The Pleasure Chest’ in New York. They were told that the ‘Rabbit Pearl‘ was the top-selling vibrator and shortly afterwards Charlotte borrowed one from Miranda.

Vibratex ‘CEO Martin was approached by HBO for this collaboration. Martin had never seen the show before and together with her team she wrote part of the text of this episode for the creators HBO. Later she received a VHS tape with the broadcast.

1999: Copy Cats hitch a ride on success

Through the broadcast of Sex and the City, the Rabbit comes to the attention of millions of people worldwide. Many sex toy manufacturers try to hitch a ride on that success and make similar products.

The internet also emerged in the late 1990s, making it easier and more discreet to buy sex toys online.

2005: More celebs recommend the Rabbit

‘Desperate Housewife’s’ star Eva Longoria also contributed by saying in an interview in 2005 that she had given all her friends a Rabbit vibrator. This interview increased sales by as much as 30%!

2006: The Big O

Shortly thereafter, in 2006, Oprah also tacked. And if ‘The Big O’ approves anything, it will be good for millions of sales (think Uggs). Oprah called the Rabbit ‘the Rolls Royce of sex toys”.

2008: Innovations and make-overs

From 2008 major innovations in the sex toy field in general and for the Rabbit in particular started. Manufacturer Jimmyjane released the ‘Iconic Rabbit’ in white in 2008. Recall that at that time the Apple brand was extremely popular with all kinds of products mainly in white.

2016: Bigger innovations

In recent years there have been enormous developments when it comes to materials and motors of sex toys. More and more often, toys are enveloped by a silicone layer. This means that most Rabbits that were still made of the carcinogenic ‘jelly’ disappear. The batteries are also increasingly being replaced by a rechargeable battery.

In 2016 We Vibe comes with their revolutionary Nova. The Nova caters to the greatest preservation of Rabbit vibrators, namely that the anatomy of women is different. Many rabbits cannot be used to make a thrusting movement, because it disturbs the contact with the clitoris with every punch. With the We Vibe Nova you can make a thrusting movements, while still stimulating your clitoris.

Furthermore, Rabbits were developed that can also thrust or that enable special G-spot stimulation.

The classic bunny rabbits and the realistic penis shapes are disappearing more and more. The design is starting to change drastically. Rabbits become more of a fantasy shape and the colors become less playful. The rabbit matures.

Other toys, such as cock rings and attachments for wand vibrators, also receive the characteristic ears for clitoral stimulation.

2020: The Rabbit is indispensable

Nowadays the rabbit of Tarzan vibrator is indispensable. The innovations do not stand still, both in design and in application. For example, LELO comes with the Soraya Wave, which can make a ‘come hither’ movement.

And We Vibe launches its second generation of their revolutionary Nova.

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