Good Vibrations Magazine

An interview with Ethan Imboden, founder of Jimmyjane
Trust me, you don’t have to have been a fan of MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball to like metal. Well, maybe when it comes to music, but when it comes to pleasure—metal is marvelous!

Metal is an outstanding material for sex toys for a number of reasons—it’s great for temperature play (warm or cold); precious metals are totally safe (for your insides and out) and non-toxic, and really—let’s face it, shiny metal objects are gorgeous.

Metal has recently made a comeback in the adult toy industry. Sure, there’s always been metal cock rings and Betty’s Barbell, but the adult industry is seeing an influx in premium, innovative items from the likes of Lelo, Elemental Pleasures and Jimmyjane. Jimmyjane designs vibrators made of 24k carat gold, anodized aluminum, satin steel, and platinum. I had the pleasure of talking to Ethan Imboden, founder of Jimmyjane about his passion for design and metal.
SIMONE: How did you get into designing sex toys; what were you doing before Jimmyjane (www.jimmyjane.com)?

ETHAN: I’ve been a designer for many years now, and have always enjoyed the challenge of developing products that are not only aesthetically pleasing and functionally superior, but also culturally relevant. Prior to Jimmyjane, I always worked as a consultant, designing for brands ranging from Nike and Colgate to Herman Miller and Motorola. It’s been a thrill to create my own brand and to apply this design approach to sex accessories.

S: What’s the ultimate mission of Jimmyjane?

E: Jimmyjane joins the ephemera of sex with the substance of design.

We believe that sexuality is as intricate and individual as a fingerprint. Rather than dictate what is sexy, Jimmyjane imbues each product with possibility, leaving room for interpretation and exploration.

If anything should be beautiful and well made, it’s the products engaged in our sexuality. Jimmyjane is committed to providing broad access to innovative products offering efficacy, well-being, and a healthy dose of wit. We create all of our products in-house to ensure that every facet of every design expresses our values.
S: No doubt, the Little Something line (Little Chroma, Little Steel, and Little Gold is visually pleasing; discuss your inspirations for the design of the Little Something line.

E: There are so many bells & whistles promoted in products today, but nobody had really succeeded in delivering the quintessential vibrator – one that actually delivered on being truly waterproof, exceptionally quiet, completely toxin-free, and (of course) simply beautiful. This was the inspiration for LITTLE CHROMA and LITTLE STEEL.

We believe in the beauty and elegance of simplicity. In the words of Antoine de St. Exupery, “You know you’ve achieved perfection in design, not when you have nothing more to add, but when you have nothing more to take away.”

S: A lot of companies are designing vibrators with rechargeable batteries, however the replaceable motor is certainly a unique and clever attribute. Did the design of the Little Steel and Little Chroma come first and the idea for a replaceable motor come second, or is it more of a chicken and egg story?

E: When we started this project, one of our first realizations was that every vibrator suffers from the same problem – the vibration will eventually destroy the motor. This severely limits the lifespan of the product – a hidden cost to the customer (not to mention the environment).

We believe that whether a vibrator is a gift to one’s self or to a significant other, it should be a lasting token of affection, not a fleeting one. We thought this challenge was a great starting point for a design. In response, we engineered and patented our replaceable motor system – the only in the world – making both the LITTLE STEEL and LITTLE CHROMA “everlasting”. If the motor starts to wear, you can simply replace it with a new one from www.jimmyjane.com.
S: Wait, along with the replaceable motor, the Little Steel and Little Chroma only take 1 AA battery, right? How powerful is the vibration?

E: Correct – LITTLE STEEL and LITTLE CHROMA are extremely efficient, and will run for 16 hours on a single AA battery.

Our research indicates that most people want to vary the intensity of the vibration, not the frequency. Changing the “speed” on a vibrator changes the frequency. The LITTLE STEEL vibrator is designed to offer a powerful, low frequency vibration that varies significantly in intensity along its length – most intense at the tip and dropping off sharply toward the end with the switch. By simply repositioning the vibrator, without altering the pressure against the skin, a user can receive a wide range of stimulation. Strong and penetrating, it’s as close as possible to the resonant frequency of the human body.

S: And why metal? Why are precious metal materials, like silver and gold, terrific for vibrators? That is, what makes metal feel so good?

E: There are many reasons that we chose metal for LITTLE STEEL and LITTLE CHROMA.

Metal is body-safe and hygienic. We use medical-grade materials such as stainless steel and anodized aluminum, and we even use pure 24k gold for LITTLE GOLD so that it’s free of impurities and won’t tarnish. Our metal is non-porous, making it easy to clean – particularly since the vibrators are waterproof.

Metal feels great. It transmits the vibration efficiently, and offers great slip when used on the skin. The metal holds temperature too – it can be warmed up or cooled down, to add another sensation.

Metal is incredibly durable as well. Machined from solid material, LITTLE STEEL and LITTLE CHROMA might last a lifetime – which is why the replaceable motor is so important.

Of course, the metal is beautiful too.
S: All three of Jimmyjane’s vibrators are waterproof, if I regularly take my Little Steel into the bath, will it rust? Oh, and what’s the best way to keep my Little Steel clean!?

E: LITTLE STEEL will not rust or tarnish – so feel free to bring it in the bath or swimming pool. Care is easy – simply clean your vibrator after each use with mild soap and hot water, then dry it with a soft cloth. If you’re extra fastidious, you can even remove the battery and motor, and place the housing and cap in your dishwasher’s top rack. Just make sure the housing is totally dry inside before re-inserting the motor and battery.
S: It’s SO darn quiet!! How do you do that? Is that part of your design aesthetic as well?

E: We achieve silence through intensive engineering, extremely precise manufacturing, and exceptionally strict quality control.

Nothing is more distracting than a rattling vibrator… We seek to enhance experiences, not detract from them. We consider every sense when creating our products – touch and appearance are obvious, but sound and scent are also critical. Discretion was also an important criterion for the design of these vibrators, so we dedicated a great deal of time to sound isolation engineering.

S: Jimmyjane products are sensual, ultra-sexy, and luxurious. As an award-winning designer, in your mind what is sexy design?

E: It’s important to underscore that “design” is not a surface treatment to beautify a product, but rather a development discipline that permeates all aspects of a product’s functionality and meaning. Sexy design brings wit, charm and kink together seamlessly. These three facets – the intellectual, the emotional, and the sexual – all need to be present and in balance.

This is certainly the most engaging work that I’ve ever done. Sexuality is so complex, so intricate – it’s infinitely fascinating.
S: Talk about your newest product, Form 6. What makes Form 6 different from other Jimmyjane designs?

E: FORM 6 is a shower-friendly, rechargeable, vibrating massager. As with all of our other designs, we’ve gone to great lengths to deliver a deeply innovative product. Our proprietary overmolding process allows every contour to be continuous, and every surface to be useable. Unlike other products – where there’s an end that you hold on to, and an opposite end that you use – every surface of FORM 6 is designed for sensation.

FORM 6 features two independently controlled motors and six digital vibration modes, ranging from gentle oscillations to exhilarating pulses. It’s powered by a high capacity Lithium-Ion battery, so it can run for over two hours on a single charge.

As you’d expect from Jimmyjane, FORM 6 is quiet, discrete and travel-ready. It’s body-safe too – made with only the highest quality materials, such as medical grade silicone and stainless steel.

You have to feel it to believe it.
S: Lastly, GQ named Jimmyjane the “brand of the future”; what can we look forward to from Jimmyjane?

E: As GQ noticed, Jimmyjane is focused on innovation. We create all of our products in-house, and have an incredible line up in development right now. Our vision is very broad, so you can look forward to more surprises every season. Jimmyjane already has something for everyone, and yet this is still just the beginning.

*A quick note on kitchen appliances and metal vibes: Some of the vibes mentioned in this article maybe dishwasher safe, but remember metal and microwaves don’t mix!