Niagara Hand Unit Massager, 1965-1976

Considered the vanguard of vibrator personalization, the Niagara Hand Unit came equipped with a dial for speed, allowing for adjustment throughout use as well as an outlet for home use. This massager is different from others through the use of Cycloidal Vibration Therapy in which the motor created vibrations in not one but three directions to increase blood circulation and promote wound healing. William L. Wettlaufer developed Cyclodial Vibration Therapy in 1930 after seeing how mine workers leaned against his coal-sorting machine for joint and muscle pain relief. In 1948 his unique motor for vibration therapy was bought by the Niagara Therapy Ltd Company which produced and commercialized this hand unit.For more body massagers in the CultureNL collection see Dr. Macaura’s Blood Circulator, (COTSL-1992-176) and the Vibrofix Electric Massager (NLC-2000-504).

Museum reference:
NLC-2000-391
Date:
1965 - 1976
Made by:
Niagara Therapy Mfg (UK) Ltd
Place Made:
Denbigh
More maker details:
London
Associated with:
Hume, John, Snr · 7 Coathill Street, Whifflet, Coatbridge · Born 1908, died 91 years of age. Worked for Tunnel CementGartsherrie. Had a flying lesson for 90th birthday at Cumbernauld Airport.
Dimensions:
height: 248 mm
width: 98 mm
depth: 66 mm
Materials:
metal, rubber, plastic
Inscriptions:
Niagara Therapy Mfg (UK) Ltd Hand unit model No 11

User contributions

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By Sharon on February 20, 2025

I have just found one like in the picture the Niagara handheld. Is it worth anything please? --- Hello, I'm afraid as a museum service we can't advise on valuations or the worth of objects.

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