The Porcelain Palace: Increasing Personal Hygiene in the 1920s Bathroom
Bathrooms opened new possibilities but also helped create their own perils. By the late 1920s surveys indicated that indoor plumbing had left the luxury category.The bathroom fostered new areas of growth in consumer goods, such as cosmetics and hair products, new plastics for hair brush handles and combs, portable mirrors and other toiletries made these items available for the middle class.
Hair Curling Iron, 1920s, National Museum of American History
The Marcel Wave is a stylish wave given to the hair by means of heated curling irons. Named for Francois Marcel, 19th century French hairdresser who invented the process in 1872. It revolutionized the art of hairdressing all over the world and remained in vogue for over fifty years, making a fortune for Mr Marcel.
Sumire Hairpins, 1920s
The bobby pin was invented after World War I and came into wide use as the hairstyle known as the "bob cut" or "bobbed hair" took hold.
Polar Cub Hairdryer, 1920s, National Building Museum
The first hand-held hair dryer was put on the market in 1920. Unlike modern hair dryers, the first hand-held hair dryer was big, bulky and frequently overheated. Capable of producing only 100 watts of heat, the first hand-held hair dryer was not able to dry hair very quickly.
Before the invention of the handheld blow dryer, women and men had to get creative when it came to drying their hair at home. One of the first devices used as a hair dryer was actually the vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaners came with a hose that could be connected to either the front or back end. Women would often connect the vacuum hose to the back end of the vacuum, turn it on and use the air from the vacuum to dry their hair.
It wasn't until 1920's that the first hand-held hairdryer was put on the market. Unlike modern hairdryers, the first hand-held version was big, heavy (weighing about 2 lbs), made out of zinc or steel and frequently overheated. Capable of producing only 100 watts of heat, the first hand-held hair dryer was not able to dry hair very quickly and women's arms often got tired from holding the heavy gadget. There were also many instances of overheating and electrocution due to contact with water.
Kirkman Soap, 1920s, National Museum of American History
By the 1920s, bathing had become an essential part of a healthy hygiene ritual. Yet, American soap manufacturers faced stiff competition. Not only were soap brands competing against each other, they were also competing against a flood of cosmetics and cosmetic cleansers vying for consumer dollars. In 1927, a trade association of American soap manufacturers established the Cleanliness Institute to help boost sales. The Institute created promotional materials stressing the connection between bathing with soap and American health. These materials were distributed via radio and magazine advertisements, as “press releases,” and within school curriculums.
Sphagnum Sanitary Napkins, 1920s, National Museum of American History
Made by Sphagnum Moss Products Company these pads were lined with moss for absorbency and to prevent leakage.