Who knew hairbrush history was so fascinating (and painful-sounding?). It turns out that the first mass-produced hairbrush was created in England during the 1770s. They were made of pig bristle, which was a big improvement of their predecessors. Some of those were made of porcupine quills!
Hair-raising hairbrush history
The earliest hairbrushes date back to antiquity. They were constructed out of many different materials, such as animal bones, shells, and bird feathers.
Hairbrushes were employed to style hair as well as clean up dirt and tangles. It wasn’t until the 18th century (specifically the 1770s) that the modern hair brush as we know it today appeared.
In the 1770s, pig bristles were used to make the first hairbrush that was mass-produced. It was not only more resilient, but it also made detangling hair easier.
The evolution of hairbrushes
Hair brushes became better and more advanced over time. A new kind of hairbrush with a concave form and gentle bristles was developed during the early 1800s, making it simpler to style hair. The creation of elaborate hairstyles like bouffants and beehives became popular using this design.
By the 20th century. there were many different kinds of hair brushes available, each with a distinct function. While some are used to detangle hair, others are intended to increase volume or produce a certain hairstyle. A lot of contemporary hair brushes also have features like ion-infused technology or heat-resistant bristles.
Lyda Newman was an African American inventor who was awarded a patent in 1898 for her design of an improved hairbrush. Her hairbrush was unique in that it had evenly spaced synthetic bristles that could be removed for cleaning or replacement. This design addressed the common issue of hairbrushes collecting dirt and oils, which made them difficult to clean and often resulted in hair loss. Newman’s invention revolutionized the hairbrush industry and her design is still used today.
The benefits of brushing
A hair brush can be used for more than just detangling hair. It can be used to distribute natural oils from the scalp more evenly to the ends. Brushing your hair can also help to maintain healthy, lustrous hair. It even aids in exfoliating the scalp, removing dead skin cells, and encouraging strong hair growth.
Frequent hair brushing can aid in preventing split ends and breakage by gently and evenly detangling hair. The blood flow to the scalp can be stimulated by brushing your hair. This encourages hair development and maintains healthy hair.
— WTF fun facts
Source: “Antique Hair Brush History, Brands & Sophisticated Styles” — Love to Know