A Historical Journey Through the Evolution of Hair Dryers

Hair dryers have been a staple in salons and homes worldwide. But how far back does their history go, and who thought of the idea? Here’s a brief historical evolution of hair dryer designs that changed how everyone styles their hair.

Reasons Why People Like Them

Before jumping into the history of hair dryers, here are some reasons why people like them in the first place. They’re a convenient tool for everyday hairstyling and keep hair healthy and smooth for days. Investing in a powerful, reliable hair dryer can do wonders for your hair game and quicken your styling time.

Perfect for Manageable Styling

It’s no secret that looking presentable is relevant for many people, whether going to work or out with friends. Having manageable, achievable hairstyles can change your look for any occasion, and people will see you as put-together and professional. Buying a hair dryer can do wonders for maintaining your favorite hairstyles.

Furthermore, having a hair dryer can help you practice different hairstyles so that you can change your look occasionally. A hair dryer can help you achieve your favorite looks in a fraction of the time for an all-day hold.

Saves You Time

Whether you have long, thick hair or you live a busy lifestyle, the time it takes to dry your hair can hinder you. The last thing you want is to run late for a work meeting, an important event, or a party and have to leave with wet hair. Investing in a hair dryer can help you save on drying time.

Using a blow dryer can save hours by drying your hair in minutes, giving you additional time to focus on other important things. You can easily dry and set your hair, then take the time to do your skin-care routine and makeup to ensure you look perfect. It’s also handy for traveling and doing last-minute hairstyles that leave smooth, silky strands behind.

Saves You Money

Many people who want to achieve beautiful, long-lasting blowouts or fun hairstyles often visit their favorite salons. However, it can become costly, especially when you see a stylist multiple times a week for washing, drying, and styling. Instead of going to the salon, purchasing a high-powered hair dryer can help you save money on styling costs.

Even more so, learning how to do hairstyle at home is easier than ever, thanks to online videos and resources. So you can practice at home without leaving the house. A hair dryer can help you hone your craft and become better at drying and styling your own hair.

A Brief History of Hair Dryers

The evolution history of the hair dryer is a long yet interesting one. It stems as far back as the late 1800s, transforming from complex machines to the hair dryers of today that consist of compact, convenient designs. Now, let’s review the various changes to the hair dryer and where they lead us today.

The Hair Dryer’s Inception

The progress of the hair dryer stems over 100 years, but let’s jump back to its inception. The invention of the hair dryer originated from French designer Alexandra Godefroy, surpassing the common use of vacuum cleaner hoses and other tools often used in salons of the time.

Godefroy’s first designs of hair dryers satisfied the salons and style visitors who wanted help with drying time and smoothing cuticles. Godefroy owned a salon herself and saw the potential in how her design could help stylists work on clients more quickly. It was an innovation that made stylists happy and satisfied clients with busy schedules.

Early Hair Dryer Models

The first hair dryer designs aren’t the lightweight, compact designs that many stylists and beauty enthusiasts use today—the early versions of the hair dryer consisted of large, seated devices connected to gas stove chimney pipes. The bonnet attached to the chimney pipe gas stove remained fixed while it dried the client’s hair. The early devices required significant energy and weren’t as efficient as they should have been. Furthermore, older hair dryer models also had high safety risks due to them starting fires.

The client had to sit while the head remained tucked under a dryer hood, which became a staple of any salon today. Overall, the invention of the hair dryer resulted in extreme popularity and became a staple for salons.

The First Handheld Blow Dryer

After the first two to three decades of the salon hair dryer, many clients and stylists desired a more convenient, compact version. Many companies introduced handheld dryers in the 1920s, but they didn’t become more popular until a couple of decades later.

Hair dryers eventually switched from metal materials to plastic, making them more user-friendly and lighter. Furthermore, the focus is on making them more power-efficient for faster drying time and less frizz. There was a significant focus on improving the superficial exterior, materials, and wattage needed to work, as they only limited 100 watts of power due to power usage issues.

The 1950s and ‘60s

The 1950s brought consumers and stylists a more advanced version of hair dryers, as they had smaller, more lightweight designs with a tube connecting to a bonnet worn over the head. Like previous versions, air flowed through pipes into the bonnet to provide heat and lock styles into place. However, they often ran on 300 watts of power, which took more drying time.

In the 1960s, hair dryers continued to change as they offered better electrical motors, using better power wattage and being more efficient. The engine remained inside the hair dryer body, making it more user-friendly and portable. They produced 500 watts of power due to their mechanical and electric advancements.

The Hair Dryers of the ‘90s and Today

In the modern era, the Consumer Products Safety Commission took important precautions and measures to protect against dangerous association risks from hair dryers. Modern hair dryer designs come with ground fault circuit interrupters and temperature cutoff switches without sacrificing weight and power. Modern hair dryers often use around 2000 watts of power.

Hair dryers of today also dry significantly faster than their predecessors, with increased safety and convenience. Some hair dryers even have touch-sensitive temperature control, magnetic attachments, quieter functions, and stylish designs.

Finding a high-powered hair dryer doesn’t have to take forever. At Laifen, we offer beautiful, stylish hair dryers that help you lock in your favorite hairstyles and smooth down cuticles. Our hair dryer technology allows hairstylists and consumers to recreate their favorite looks with high-tech, cutting-edge technology that lasts. For more information, contact us today.