Hair styling became a preoccupation with both men and women during the 'twenties and 'thirties due to the increased possibility of social and leisure activities and the vogue for Hollywood fashions through the cinema. The earliest product for styling hair was the electric curling tongs. Although these required a great deal of skill and care in obtaining the correct temperature, they allowed styling to take place at the dressing table, rather than in the less-dignified kitchen, where there would be a conventional heat source. Two types evolved: simple, conventional tongs that were placed in a separate electric, heating chamber, or a self-contained device with a heat-insulated handle and wired-in heating element. At least one iron manufacturer produced a travelling iron that had a socket in the heel into which a curling tong could be inserted for heating. On a much grander scale, the permanent-waving machine was a new product owing its existence entirely to electricity, although its size, expense and required operative skills precluded its use by any other than the professional salon.

A product related to the electric razor was the electric hair clipper, first developed in 1910 by Sunbeam in the USA from a larger model used on farm animals. Two popular British models from the 1940s were the Chilton and the Horstman 'Hometrim', the latter, like the pioneer Sunbeam, being a domesticated version of a farm-use hair clipper The headline on the instructions leaflet for this model simply read 'Another family problem solved'.

In the late-1950s, hair drying 'ensembles' often included a comb connected to the hot air supply via a flexible hose. As hair dryers became more compact due to improved motor design, so a new product, the hand-held hot-air styling comb replaced the old battery electric comb.

• 1926 White's Electric Comb
• 1929 Letrik electric comb
• 1930 White's Komec Junior Electric Comb
• 1945 Horstman Hometrim electric clippers
• 1947 Chilton electric clippers
• 1950 Pifco curling tongs
• 1955 Pifco clippers
• 1960 Pifco curling tongs
• 1960 Pifco Vanity Curl
• 1965 Ronson hot air styling comb

1926 White's Electric Comb UK Popular battery 'electric comb' for stimulation of scalp - extravagent claims of literature include reducing greying, stopping dandruff and encouraging hair growth. Box inner of 1930 'Junior' version proclaims 3 million electric combs made since 1926. Nickel-plated handle doubles as battery chamber, screws off for access. Black 'ebony' phenol plastic comb section with embedded element to prongs. Current is switcheon by screwing nickel ring against first prongs. Patent numbers 280309 and 291649. Click here for box and leaflet. Click here for 1930 advertisement.
1929 Letrik UK Battery appliance intended for envigorating and rejuvenating the scalp and hair. Two special-size batteries inside black phenol plastic body, circuit is created by contact with user's head, thereby imparting electric current. Other electric combs (e.g. Whites, 1928) have long handle. This may be a travelling model. Small paper-covered carton. Nickel-plated screw-off steel ends and comb prongs. Registered design number 1929.
1930 White's Komec Junior Electric Comb UK 'Junior' version of standard White's 'electric comb' model (with longer handle). Battery appliance intended for envigorating and rejuvenating the scalp and hair, plus many other claims to health in literature - 'The freshness and bloom of youth restored, wrinkles and worry lines disappear, acute nerve pains miraculously cured, headache and eye strain banished'. Circuit is created by contact with user’s head, thereby imparting electric current. Twin nickel-plated prong sets with screw-off battery compartment. Design registration number 753306 (1930), patent number 280308 (c1926). Box inner proclaims 3 million electric combs made since 1926. Click here for packaging and leaflets.
1945 Horstman Hometrim UK Bath Bulky clipper developed from version used on animals. Patented oscillating cutter (596,794) 1945 application. Large black adjustment wheel.Sky blue/cream urea plastic body, diamond-patterned silver/grey jewellery box-like case. Also available with mint green/cream body.
c1947 Chilton UK Hungerford Smaller clipper than Horstman, design similar to Chilton razors (Buk/Kub). Oscillating cutter with optional cream comb attachment. Sliding switch. Cream urea plastic body, imitation lizard-skin board/paper carton.
c1950 Pifco model 1055 UK Manchester Eary version of Pifco curling tongs. Heated steel rod with sprung chromed-plated grip, dark red phenol plastic circular thumb tab and handle. Separate metal stand, grey flex. Produced c1950-c1960. Replaced by model 1155 ‘Vanity Curl’ with larger black handle and thicker heating rod, c1960. Still in 1966 Pifco catalogue. Click here for case and instruction leaflet.
c1955 Pifco model 1052 UK Manchester Home hair clippers in ivory urea plastic. Two distance combs supplied plus lubricating oil. Listed in Hobday electrical catalogue 1958, placed by restyled model 88 in early 1960s. Cost £5/5/- in 1958. Black and marbled grey effect plastic case with cream plastic lining. Made in Switzerland. Click here for ensemble and packaging.
c1960 Pifco model 1055 UK Manchester Later version of Pifco curling tongs. Heated steel rod with sprung chromed-plated grip, dark red phenol plastic circular thumb tab and handle. Separate metal stand, grey flex. Produced c1950-c1960. Replaced by model 1155 ‘Vanity Curl’ with larger black handle and thicker heating rod, c1960. Still in 1966 Pifco catalogue..
c1960 Pifco model 1155 UK Manchester Final de-luxe version of Pifco curling tongs. Thicker heated steel rod with sprung chromed-plated grip, substantial black phenol plastic circular thumb tab and handle. Separate metal stand, white flex. Reflecting changing hair styles late 1950s/early 1960s. More extensive instructions on hair styling and curling. Click here for 1960s leaflet graphics.
c1965 Ronson model HS1 UK Early ultra-compact dryer with add-on styling comb or brush for hot air + styling. Octagonal section, tapering body in cream urea plastic with consealed clip fastenings. Chromium-plated steel trim around nozzle. Unit effectively doubles in length when accessories added. A neat and well-integrated design.