50 Years of Pleasure

A page from "The Pleasure Chest Compendium of Amorous & Prurient Paraphernalia" catalog published in the early 70s.

Over the last five decades, Pleasure Chest has developed into a space that puts community and education at the forefront while providing a safe and laid-back atmosphere that welcomes all folks to explore themselves freely. Pleasure Chest leaves judgment at the door and asks its patrons to do the same. Inclusivity and sex-positivity are the pillars on which Pleasure Chest operates; the mission since opening in 1971 has been “pleasure for all.” The emphasis has always been to “help you have the best sex of your life!” Who can find anything wrong with that? Of course sex culture has come a long way since the company began in the early 70s, but the work we do every day is as radical as the day we opened and what we can offer (a safe space, a non-judgmental ear, accessible sex education) is priceless.

If you’re curious as to how the Pleasure Chest went from a small shop selling waterbeds to the industry standard for an elevated adult shopping experience with locations across the country, the short version is:

In the early 70s, original owners Duane Colglazier and Bill Rifkin noticed a slight change in the country’s reaction to sexuality and body autonomy. The first Erotic Film Festival had just been held, nudity was becoming more normalized in film and abortion was legalized. They’d “just had a feeling that New York was ready” for an adult store of this caliber and in 1971, they opened the first location in Greenwich Village. The first items available for purchase were erotic art, dildos, bondage products and, legendarily, waterbeds!

Pleasure Chest's original location in West Village (left) and the Los Angeles location the 80s (right).

The most progressive aspect of the store wasn’t even that it was an adult store, it was the nonchalant attitude attributed to the atmosphere. They treated the customers as if they were shopping for furniture or groceries. No big deal! They also purposefully didn’t cover up the windows like most adult stores did at the time because they felt there was nothing to hide. Every choice regarding how the store looked and felt was carefully made to provide comfort and normalcy. Although unfortunately the waterbeds are gone, the comfortable and welcoming environment has remained ever since. Only now, Pleasure Chest has 4 locations and is also host to an extensive education program that boasts free classes on nearly every topic under the sun, from Blowjob Basics and Butt Sex 101 to Impact Play and Queering Your Sex.

For a more in-depth history lesson on us, check out this blog from our 45^th birthday!

Joan Jett outside the L.A. location. Photo by Brad Elterman.

This year we’re sharing our birthday and celebrating our historic 50^th anniversary by honoring all the brands and toys that have stuck by us through everything and helped us create the company we are today. From the plug-in wands of the 70s (that still bring the power) to the Bluetooth-enabled toys you can control from anywhere in the world—we’ve seen technology come a long way and progress right along with us. One of our favorite companies that continues to evolve is the reigning champion of specialty solo and couples’ toys: WOW Tech!

More than likely, if you’ve ever even briefly browsed the World Wide Web for a vibrator, chances are you’ve seen a WOW Tech toy. Brands that fall under the WOW Tech umbrella are Womanizer, We-Vibe, pjur, Romp and Arcwave. All of these brands are known for their quality and innovation in their respective categories (specifically air suction toys, couples’ vibes, and premium lubrication). In 2008, We-Vibe created the signature couples vibrator characterized by a ‘c’ shape that is meant to be hands-free and can be worn during penetration. Its gone through countless versions since and has now culminated in 3 colorful options with different capabilities: The Unite, the Chorus and the Match.

We Vibe Unite	We-Vibe Chorus	We Vibe Match

Womanizer is known for creating the now widely known and loved ‘suction’ toys with their patented Pleasure Air™ technology. There have been many versions of this tech in various shapes and sizes since its creation in 2014, including one that looked like lipstick! Womanizer has consistently been hard at work perfecting the pulsating air pressure motor over the last 7 years and in the process has delivered a brand new type of sensation to the toy world. We are forever grateful! Here are some customer favorites:

Womanizer Premium	Womanizer Liberty	Womanizer Duo

Browse our Womanizer and We-Vibe Suites for more detailed recommendations from each brand and find the right fit for you!

We asked our friends at WOW Tech for some more insight into how the company has affected the adult toy industry and what they’ll be up to next. Read on to find out!

What has changed about WOW Tech over the years?

In 2017, our CEO teamed up with a group of private investors to buy the brand Womanizer. In 2018, they then bought Canadian sex toy manufacturer We-Vibe and, in addition to that, formed WOW Tech Group. Since then, we have grown strongly. From five employees in Berlin (in May 2017) to a globally operating company with around more than 250 employees in four offices (Berlin, Hong Kong, Ottawa, Shanghai), spanning across four continents. In September 2020, we launched our first brand focusing on male-body persons, named Arcwave. Another important addition to our product portfolio was Womanizer Premium eco, launched in April 2021. The first eco-friendly Pleasure Air toy and the first step in a more sustainable future for WOW Tech overall.

What is something you want folks to know before choosing their first toy?

We all experience pleasure differently, so just because everyone is raving about a toy, doesn't mean it is going to be the toy for you. Think about where and how you like to be stimulated and explore all the different options available, not just the shortlist recommendations of your friends. Also, you can get creative with how you use toys. Just because the packaging may say clitoral stimulator or insertable toy, that doesn't mean that is the only way to use the toy. (Note: Please don’t insert small products anally that aren’t meant for it. They could potentially get lost.) Just always remember to be careful and pay attention to what your body is telling you.

What is something more experienced folks might not think about when choosing a toy?

Some more experienced people may not think to try new and different toys. Sex tech is continually innovating and coming up with new ideas and it is very easy to stick with what you know works, especially in terms of sex toys. It almost never hurts to try something new or explore pleasure and one's sexuality with different toys. Another tip--Use your hands! Explore your entire body with different strokes and take note of how it responds. It will likely change over time, so try to check in with yourself every once in a while to see if a new sensation sparks your interest.

As you find your way down between your legs, don’t overthink it. Just touch in a way that feels good for you. Take your time and don’t judge yourself. Based off what you are enjoying, maybe give a new product a try and see if it opens your world of pleasure up a little more!

What’s in the future for WOW Tech?

Sexual well-being products have gained a more mainstream position in today's market. WOW Tech Group is a global leader within our industry, and despite the past year and a half, we have managed to maintain the highest-level quality when it comes to our services and products. We promise to further develop innovative products that are close to people’s needs and we already have a few in the pipeline.

What do you think is missing in the toy world that WOW Tech brings to the table?

We are investing many resources and budget into research and development – 30% of our team are dedicated full time to product and technology innovation. More than eight years ago e.g., we were the first to launch an app (We-Connect) to remote control our We-Vibe products. Back then, many people thought that this wasn't a necessary feature or one that people would use a lot. However, with social distancing and travel bans becoming more commonplace, we proved we were simply ahead of our time.

What’s your “desert island” toy in WOW Tech’s entire catalog?

We have sold over 4 million Womanizer products worldwide so far, with the Womanizer Premium being our best seller. You can’t argue with the masses!

Thank you, WOW Tech! You can browse our selection of products from them here and here. You can also follow along on their journey @wevibe and @womanizerglobal.