While not specifically designed as "purple hair dye" initially, the key ingredient enabling it was essentially created in 1863 with the accidental discovery of mauveine.
Mauveine, the first synthetic dye, was discovered by English chemist William Henry Perkin. This vibrant purple hue revolutionized the textile industry and paved the way for the development of modern hair dyes, including purple shades. Before synthetic dyes, achieving a lasting, vibrant purple color was difficult and often involved natural dyes that were less reliable and more complex to use. Perkin's discovery made the creation of stable, vibrant purple dyes much more accessible. It's important to note that its initial application wasn't for hair; it was for fabrics. However, mauveine's creation was a foundational step for all modern chemical dyes, including those used for hair. Therefore, it serves as a relevant precursor to the creation of purple hair dye.
In summary, while a product marketed directly as "purple hair dye" likely came later, the underlying technology and purple pigment that made it possible originated with the creation of mauveine in 1863.
