A beehive takes us back to the '50s, a Jane Austen updo takes us to the 1800s, while indeed, the beach wave is the look of the 2010s. Hair is a signifier of the times. Are we going to talk about crimping in the late 90s, early 00s? Maybe not. From styles to hair color, innovations, and pop culture, hair has a prominent place in history, enough that today, October 1st, we celebrate National Hair Day here in America.
Archeologists have dug up combs that date as far back as the origins of human-made tools. In ancient times, the hairbrush evolved to a symbol of status, made with ornate, indulgent designs. The earliest recorded patent for a modern hairbrush was in 1854 by Hugh Rock. In 1898, Lyda D. Newman invented and received the patent for the "Improved Hairbrush" made with synthetic widely separated bristles, which allowed for easy brushing.
Madame C.J. Walker is the "queen of haircare." She was the daughter of enslaved parents and the first woman to become a self-made millionaire in America with her inventions. After struggling with hair loss of her own, Walker came to invent "Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower" with an initial investment of $1.25. Walker has an extensive, fascinating history in haircare innovations, which we highly suggest researching further!
Hair color is now a multi-million dollar industry, but the first synthetic hair dye dates back to Eugene Schueller, who created the product in 1907. Since the early days of hair invention, derivative products now fill a saturated market—shelves of hair spray, shampoos, conditioners, mechanical tools, and the like. Though early innovations have improved for the modern world, nothing has since shaken the hair industry, until 2014.
OLAPLEX has a special place in celebrating hair, as in June 2014, OLAPLEX invented the first-ever Bond Multiplier. The patented active ingredient in OLAPLEX, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, rebuilds broken disulfide bonds in the hair, creating new, healthy bonds. In other words, OLAPLEX invented the product that rebuilds damaged hair for the first time. OLAPLEX was founded by CEO Dean Christal, who sought chemists Dr. Craig Hawker and Dr. Eric Pressley to invent hair care's holy grail. OLAPLEX has humble beginnings with its invention in a California garage to being the revolutionary product it is today with millions of fans worldwide.
When we place those inventions and innovations into society, we see hair's significant influence on pop culture. When we think of the 1920s we imagine short hair and slicked finger waves. Long, shaggy hair identified the wave of 1960s and 1970s rockers. We cherish these iconic looks and see them influencing hair decisions today. Modern-day now sees an influx of people embracing their natural hair textures, which may name the 2020s as the healthiest era ever for hair in years to come.
We celebrate hair every day here at OLAPLEX. Though we could go on for volumes about our favorite topics, hair, and how it's influenced our world, we have a suggestion for you to celebrate it today. Take time to honor what unique connection you have with hair while treating yourself to an OLAPLEX treatment to show your mane some love.
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