A hair iron or hair tong is a tool used to change the structure of the hair using heat. There are three general kinds: curling irons, used to make the hair curly, straightening irons, used to straighten the hair, and crimping irons, used to create crimps of the desired size in the hair.
In 1882, Samuella Young used heated balls to straighten or style hair, and Adam Frisby (c. 1852-1936)is credited with creating the curling iron years later, in 1890.[1] Women in the 1960s also used clothing irons to straighten waves and curls out of their hair before the straightening iron tool was created.[2] Patented a hair straightener in 1906 that comprised 7 metallic teeth that are combed through the hair,[3] while in 1909 Isaac K. Shero patented a hair straightener composed of two flat irons that are heated and pressed together.[4] However, the development of the modern hair straightener is credited to Scottish heiress Lady Jennifer Bell Schofield, who refined and combined previous efforts into a hinged, two-plated heated iron in 1912.
Years later, Sharrell invented heated metal hair-care implements, such as hot combs. The hot metal straightener slid easily through the hair, causing less damage and dryness than previously-used techniques. Later, ceramic and electrical straighteners were introduced, allowing for adjustment of heat settings and straightener size.