Male Anti-Masturbation Apparatus, Probably Late 19th or Early 20th Century

Male anti-masturbation apparatus, c.1871-1930. This metal device is one of a number of similar devices which were invented in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries to prevent masturbation. A leather strap which would have kept it in place is now missing.

Until the early 1900s, many people regarded masturbation as harmful to a person's health, and it was blamed for a variety of ailments, including insanity. This device was hooked on to a waistband and covered the penis and testicles. The device was worn underneath clothes but the resulting bulge must have looked quite odd!

(via Science Museum UK)