"Tempera" electric hair curler set, c. 1940
Wellaexpand_more
Bakelite, porcelain, metal, electrical componentsexpand_more
Gift of Various Donors, by exchangeexpand_more 2001.169a-ee
Not on Viewexpand_more
It looks like something pulled from under the hood of a car, but this appliance was instead engineered for beauty. In the expert hands of the sttylist, the Tempera permanent wave machine could transform tightly curled hair. into lustrous locks and stick straight tresses to undulating waves. The first US patent for a permanent wave machine was taken out in 1928 by Marjorie Stewart Joyner (1896-1994), the African-American inventor and beautician. The permanent wave hair machine was an equal opportunity appliance, used by black and white women in pursuit of beauty.
Details
- Title
- "Tempera" electric hair curler set
- Artist Life
- Darmstadt, y, est. 1880
- Role
- Manufacturer
- Accession Number
- 2001.169a-ee
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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