Hot combs have been in existence since women started to become aware of the beauty of diverse hairstyles. Hot combs are metal combs that strengthen coarse or curly hair from the root to the tip. Back in the day, straight hair was the rave and every woman wanted to have it.
In the 1800s French women who had a love for old Egyptian hairstyles were trying to replicate them. In their bid to do so, they discovered the power of the hot metal; how it can transform the hair into sleek strands.
What we know as hot comb today, was called pressing iron one time in history. They are metal combs that give coarse hair a smoother, sleek texture when it is heated and used on the hair.
The first official hot comb in America was designed by Walter Sammons, an African American man who wanted to help black women achieve straighter hair. The hot comb was designed to straighten African coarse hair from the root to the tip. This first invention of the hot comb was heated on top of a stove or gas burner, the temperature couldn’t be regulated, unlike modern hot combs.
Walter Sammons was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he lived in a community full of black American women, he saw them struggle every day with combing the coarse hair, styling it, and getting it to look sleek. As an inventor, he worked to invent a heated comb that removed the kinks which made African hair coarse.
Walter was an inventor for the enhanced patent of the hot comb. In the year 1920, December 21st to be precise, he received the US patent 1,362,823 for inventing an improved iron comb for black women that straightens coarse hair.
The purpose of the comb was to create a smoother texture and it achieved its purpose in great measure. Even though Hot combs were originally created for African American women, women from all over the world use got combs to achieve different sleek hairstyles.
Another name that always pops up when people talk about the hot comb and its history is Annie Malone. According to stories told by black women, Annie Malone was the first person to patent the hot comb. Afterward, her apprentice and former employee Madam CJ Walker was credited with the creation of an enhanced version of it with wider teeth.
Although this story is widespread, it is untrue. In her biography, CJ Walker debunked the widespread information that she invented the hot comb. She owned a booming hair product business in the 20th-century that made her popular and admired. So, it was only normal that black women would want to credit the great invention to her name.
There’s also no official document to prove that Annie Malone invented the hot comb in America. She holds no patent for the hot comb invention and so officially she isn’t listed as one of it’s inventors.
How It Really Started
The first hot comb was invented in France by Francois Marcel Grateau. It was said that he revolutionized the hairstyling industry in his time and paved the way for many more witty inventions. He developed it as a way for colored women who had thick, coarse hair to create a straight and finer look like that of the historical Egyptians.
In the year 1872, He invented the hot iron comb and used it in his salon in Paris France to curl and wave the hair of his customers. This signature hairstyle could only be made in his salon at that time and it was named after him; “ The Marcel Waves”. This hairstyle trended in the fashion world for many years even to the end of the 20th century.
It was from Paris that word spread about the magic iron comb that could straighten African American hair. Many people began to create their own versions of the comb and patent it.
How it Evolved
The first hot combs invented were made to be placed on direct heat. They weren’t regulated and most of them were not so convenient to use. From the 20th century electrical hot combs started to become very popular.
Now Electrical hot combs can be regulated and there are newer versions with an even better build. Hot combs still dominate the hair product market because over time it was discovered that it is less damaging than chemical straightening. When done properly it can preserve African hair and who doesn’t love a good hairstyle switch?
Old Hot Combs Vs New Hot Combs
Women of color are blessed with a unique hair type which is usually coarse. To achieve a variety of hairstyles without the use of harsh chemicals, hot combs have been the go-to alternative.
The need for more convenient hot combs gave rise to the modern versions of hot combs we have in the market today. Newer versions of hot combs are more convenient and less harmful to the scalp and hair. Today we have human hair wigs, frontals and closures and all of these hairstyles benefit from hot combs.
Our modern hot combs are made specifically with African textured hair in mind. Technology is the mother of convenience and everyday new innovations are made. We are far ahead of our time in the world of hot combs with our curve mouthed hot combs.
The modern curved hot combs have the advantage of penetrating the roots of even the most coarse 4C hair. This makes for a better and longer lasting straightened hair. Unlike older hot combs, modern hot combs are heated electrically, the heat can be regulated to your taste.
Black women have always loved a good hairstyle switch and with hot combs, this has been made super easy. Today we have wider tooth hot combs, straighteners, hot air brushes, ceramic hot combs and even bling bling electric hot combs.
Even though the market is saturated with unwrought hot comb manufacturers today, DAN Technology has set itself apart. With a deeper understanding of the natural African hair, DAN Technology creates products that are unique and of high quality.
We have specially designed a curved tooth hot comb that can easily reach the root of even the thickest 4C hair. The goal is to create effective and highly convenient electrical products for black women around the world. So far DAN Technology has this unique product in the market, and they are a bestseller!
Our wide range of hot combs are highly effective and eliminates the need for damaging chemicals. They penetrate the thickest of coarse hair and leave you with a well straightened, lush, glorious hair. Different versions are available; browse through our shop to up you hair game!