The hair relaxer, in its earliest documented form as a hair straightening cream, was invented by Garrett Augustus Morgan in 1909.
The Genesis of Hair Straightening
Garrett Augustus Morgan, a notable inventor with a keen eye for problem-solving, serendipitously discovered the formula for what would become an influential hair product. His invention of a cream designed to straighten hair marked a significant moment in the history of hair care.
An Accidental Discovery
Morgan's groundbreaking invention was not the result of a direct attempt to create a hair product. Instead, the discovery unfolded in 1909 while he was engaged in another inventive pursuit:
- Original Goal: Morgan was working in his tailor shop, seeking a solution to reduce friction on sewing machine needles. He aimed to develop a cream that would ease the movement and prevent the needles from burning the fabric.
- The Revelation: During his experiments, he observed the cream's unexpected effect on fabric. Intrigued, he decided to test its potential beyond sewing machine parts.
- Initial Test Subject: To confirm his hypothesis about its straightening properties, Morgan famously applied the cream to a neighboring dog's fur, witnessing its impressive ability to smooth and relax the animal's hair. This informal test demonstrated the cream's powerful chemical properties in altering hair texture.
Impact and Legacy
Morgan's accidental invention of a hair straightening cream laid the foundational groundwork for modern hair relaxers. While the product has evolved significantly over the decades, his initial discovery marked the first documented instance of such a chemical process for hair straightening. His legacy extends far beyond this invention, encompassing innovations like the three-position traffic signal and the gas mask, showcasing his diverse contributions to society.
