Hair Dryer Invented
The hair dryer, the ubiquitous grooming tool that is a staple in many households and salons around the world, has had a long journey from its earliest days. Delving into its history reveals a captivating journey of innovation that revolutionized the way we tend to our locks.
The first hairdryer was invented by Alexandre Godefroy in France in 1890. It was a large device that required one to sit under it with their head tucked in a bonnet that attached to the chimney pipe of the gas stove and blew hot air onto the head. This type of hair dryer was known as a “hooded hair dryer.” In the 1920s, the Racine Universal Motor Company introduced the first portable electric hair dryer. While still quite cumbersome, it was a significant advancement and laid the foundation for today’s handheld hair dryers.
After the 1940s, a number of technological advancements made it possible to produce smaller, more powerful hair dryers that could be used at home. As a result, women and men started to use them more regularly. Stylists such as Vidal Sassoon and movies such as Shampoo, starring Warren Beatty as a hunky hairdresser, helped give the device a sexy, irresistible appeal.
When Was Hair Dryer Invented?
From the late 1960s on, it was fashionable to sport a natural look. This trend was supported by the introduction of even smaller, lighter hairdryers that were easy to slip into a handbag and use as you go about your day. Celebrities like Farah Fawcett and Princess Diana also embraced the natural flick, helping to popularize the look and further promote these new devices.
Since then, countless innovations have been made in making the hairdryer more compact, lightweight, and easier to use. Some of these innovations include a reduction in the size and weight of the electrical motor, a focus on power usage, and improved heating technology to reduce damage to hair.
The hairdryer is still a fairly dangerous appliance, as it can cause burns if dropped into water and can lead to electrocution if not properly grounded. To prevent these dangers, manufacturers must follow certain quality control procedures. For example, the hairdryer must have a safety feature that cuts off the circuit when it reaches a dangerously high temperature. These features can be found in most hairdryers, although they may not appear on the outside of the product.
In addition to these safety features, most hairdryers now have a thermal fuse that is included in the circuit to protect against overheating and fires. The fuse works by combining sheets of two metals that expand at different rates. When the sheet reaches a certain temperature, it will bend, triggering a switch that disconnects the current from the heating element. This prevents the machine from overheating and causing a fire or an injury to the user. For additional protection, a polarized plug is often used to help prevent accidental shocks. The plug has a special design that helps ground the electrical circuit, reducing the chances of shock if it is accidentally dropped into water.