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History of The Comb

The comb has been used for thousands of years, dating back to at least 5,000 years ago when early Egyptians carved combs. Over time, combs evolved from simple wooden tools into varied styles made from different materials to suit different hair textures and purposes. Today, there are hundreds of comb types for styling, detangling, parting and more. Combs come in materials like plastic, metal, and bone and vary in tooth size and shape for various haircare needs.

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Daniel Rae
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383 views4 pages

History of The Comb

The comb has been used for thousands of years, dating back to at least 5,000 years ago when early Egyptians carved combs. Over time, combs evolved from simple wooden tools into varied styles made from different materials to suit different hair textures and purposes. Today, there are hundreds of comb types for styling, detangling, parting and more. Combs come in materials like plastic, metal, and bone and vary in tooth size and shape for various haircare needs.

Uploaded by

Daniel Rae
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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History of the Comb

Despite the tousled locks of Julius Caesar and Abraham Lincoln, the comb

has been around for thousands of years. Used first as a rudimentary

grooming tool, the comb has evolved into many forms for all types of hair.

The type of comb you need will vary depending on your hair's thickness and

texture, as well as the purpose of the comb. Parting hair requires a different

comb than combing or styling hair.

History

The earliest use of the comb can be traced to as far back as 5,000 years ago.

In fact, primitive versions of the comb have been found throughout history

by archaeologists. As early as 5500 B.C. the ancient Egyptians carved out

combs among other remnants of the emerging cultures. In ancient China,

combs were worn as hair accessories that reflected one's social status. Over

time, combs have evolved into more efficient tools for hair maintenance and

hair care. Today, there are hundreds of different combs depending on your

hair length, texture and type.


Function

Combs serve different functions for different hair types and styles. Typically,

combs are used to tame stray hairs and detangle wet hair. Another common

use for the comb is to secure hair in one position before placing it in a

ponytail. Combs may also be used to part hair for coloring, conditioning and

braiding. Combs can also be worn as decorative accessories that hold hair in

a specific style. During the 1930s and 1940s, when sophisticated updos were

the fashion, the decorative hair comb emerged as the accessory of choice.

Features

In its earliest incarnation, the comb was carved from wood and, sometimes,

bone. Tortoiseshell and ivory were common high-fashion combs, but

concerns for animals' rights shifted to predominantly wooden and plastic

combs. General use comes in beauty salons, barbershops and bathrooms are

most commonly made from plastic, while specialty combs and high-end

combs can be made from steel, gold and platinum. All combs have teeth,

called combdrumbs, but the size and spacing of the teeth vary by comb.
Additionally, combs may have a small thin handle called a "rattail" used for

parting hair.

Types

Generally, there are three types of combs; hair combs, decorative combs

and flea combs. Hair combs are used to style and maintain hair. Decorative

combs are simple accessories meant to dress up the hair and serve no

purpose in taking care of your hair. Flea combs, although used on the hair

sometimes, are used to search for incredibly tiny parasites like lice, fleas or

crabs. Running a flea comb over the infected area will damage the parasites,

effectively killing them.

Warning

Sharing combs is not recommended, as sharing a comb is a common method

of transmitting lice, fleas, crabs and other infections. Additionally, consistent

build-up of dirt and oils in hair can lead to certain scalp conditions. To keep

your scalp and hair healthy, wash combs regularly with shampoo.
Resources: https://www.leaf.tv/articles/history-of-the-
comb/

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