GEC HAIR CURLING IRON, 1930's

Hair curling Iron heated inside an electric element on a stand for domestic use, complete with 2 pin 5 Amp plug. Many of the curling tongs are seen but rarely with an electric element unit to heat them.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1757

SUNBEAM SHAVEMASTER MODEL 'R' of 1937

The Sunbeam Shavemaster originated around 1937 in America, working on 110 Volts AC/DC, in order for it to be marketed in the UK it needed to work on up to 250 V.A.C. so an adapter was provided, but as the unit was AC/DC a transformer was not suitable, so a high power resistor was used. The American 2 pin plug was pushed into one end and the other was plugged into a British bayonet light bulb socket as all light bulbs in the UK at the time were of this type, and most homes in the UK did not have a supply of wall sockets, The 13 amp ring main system came into effect in 1947 but did not appear in many homes until as late as the 1960's.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1756

GAMAGES 'VIBRO ELECTRA' MASSAGER, 1930's

Gamages supplied this Massager, which cost 15 Shillings before the Second World War. The instructions claim that: - Vibrator Massage is intended to be gentle rhythmic and persistent, thereby promoting the circulation of the blood in the skin and the tissues lying beneath. It is indispensable for beauty culture, and produces a fresh and healthy complexion. Vibratory massage is also undoubtedly highly beneficial to the whole nervous system and for combating rheumatism, gout, etc.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1744

ELECTRIC SAFETY RAZOR, 1933

Wet Electric safety razor operating on a 4.5 Volt battery in a case that is missing. Working by a motor in the handle that moves the blade slightly from side to side, it is similar to others of this type which tend to vibrate during use and are powered by AC mains, like the popular TARK version which had its own Patent from 1930, this TARK version however required its own single sided blade, other blades would not fit. The Siemens version took the advantage and could operate on standard double-sided blades.

Bruce Hammond Collection.

A1752

WAHL MASSAGE VIBRATOR, 1930's

The Wahl Clipper Corporation was formed in 1919 by Leo.J.Wahl, when he made his first Electric Clippers. His Company went on to make many other electrical products including this item, which was made in 1931. The unit is very small solid and built into a heavily chromed body with a standard toggle switch mounted on the grip. Rubber massage heads can be screwed into the motor, one of which remains with this unit.

Bruce Hammond Collection.

A1748

'TOKALON' ELECTRIC HAIR BRUSH, 1919

Electric hair brush for improving the condition of the scalp. Patent No 191404908 of 1915. The patent reads. This invention relates to electric hair brushes, massage brushes and the like of the type provided with a handle, which is grasped by the person using the hair brush, massage brush or like, the circuit being completed through metallic bristles or the like in the brush and through the hand of the person grasping the handle. It is found in practice that brushes of the forgoing description are unsatisfactory, as in cases where it is desired that a second person, for instance a lady's maid, barber, or masseur, should use the brush the circuit is not completed through the person having the hair brushed or being treated, unless some connection is established between the two persons. This is the first two paragraphs of the patent, it goes on to explain that the handle of this brush can be removed and fitted with another having a wire attached to it connected to a second handle held by the person under going treatment, the brush is then held by the person giving the treatment, this would complete the circuit between patient and operator. It is for this attachment that the patent applies. This part of the system is not present with this unit, which was sold for the use of a single person only. The unit comes with the original battery, it is not clear if this is rechargeable or not but is dated 09/01/1919.

Bruce Hammond Collection.

A1746

VICEROY DRY SHAVER (SPRING LOADED), 1936

Non-electric razor with cutter driven by friction motor and external hand-crank. Dark maroon phenol plastic body similar to later electric version.Sliding cutting head similar in principle to Schick/Remmington with sliding cover. Stiff metal case covered, normally with cleaning brush supplied. Tricky to use as two simultaneous actions are needed - cranking the lever and guiding the shaving head.

Donated by K.Quarman.

A1462

PHILISHAVE BATTERY SHAVER, 1950's

Philishave was the brand name for the electric shavers manufactured by the Philips Domestic Appliances and Personal Care unit of Philips (in the U.S.A., the Norelco name is used instead). In recent years, Philips had extended the Philishave brand to include hair clippers, beard trimmers and beard shapers. Philips used the Philishave brand name for their shavers from 1939 to 2006.

The Philishave shaver was invented by Philips engineer Alexandre Horowitz, who used rotating cutters instead of the reciprocating cutters that had been used in previous electric shavers.

The shaver was introduced in 1939, though initial production was limited due to the outbreak of World War II (the production facility in Eindhoven, the Netherlands was overrun by the German Army in 1940).
After the war, a slightly improved version of the cigar-shaped single-head shaver was introduced. A more ergonomic egg-shaped single-head model was introduced in 1948 and was designed by US industrial designer Raymond Loewy. Global sales increased markedly after a double-head model was introduced in 1951.
The brand name Philishave was phased out in 2006.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1193

PIFCO RAZOLITE MIRROR, 1952

The Pifco Razor Lite, a small mirror with a mains lamp behind, which shines through a small area of the mirror.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1197

ELECTRIC MINI PERM, 1930's

Electric Hair curling system with heated rods holding curling tongs.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1172

'FEN SON' ELECTRIC HAIR DRYER, 1925

This is a very early example of an electric hair dryer.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1247

'BEST FRIEND' HAIR DRYER, 1932

Another example of an early hair dryer. They ARE extremely heavy to use.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1245

FORFEX HAIR DRYER, 1930's

A hair dryer originating from the 1930's.

The name Forfex still exists, and hair dryers and clippers are still made under this brand name.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1246

RAYDO ELECTRIC HAIR BRUSH, 1930's

A small battery in the block is connected to wires on the brush used as the bristles. As the hair is combed the current from the battery passes through the scalp via the wires.

The instructions claim that the brush can stop baldness and grey hair from forming if the unit is used seven minutes in the morning and five minutes at night, every day.

It was not actually very effective. We think that this would be considered a Quackery item.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1243

WHITES ELECTRIC HAIR BRUSH, 1920's

"Electricity gives life giving properties to the hair right down to the roots".

According to the instructions, one 3 volt battery can do all this?. Just switch the unit on and brush 5 minutes in the morning and 7 minutes at night. The bristles are sharp hard wire, it must have been very painful to use. We think it's another Quackery item.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1194

ROLLS RAZOR 'VICEROY' ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER in TRAVEL PACK, 1938

Rolls Razor Ltd. is probably best known because of its sets of safety razors with a sharpening device (1920's and later) and later its manually driven Viceroy Non-electric Dry Shaver (patent application filed 1937). In the 1940's and 1950's Rolls Razor also manufactured electric shavers.

Assuming good prospects on the electric shaver market, Rolls Razor opened a new factory in Hemel Hempstead, where it was one of the pioneers in a new industrial area. However, Rolls Razor announced that it was to close its factory because of mounting losses and fears of a world slump - it was going back 'home' to Cricklewood. The company sold the Hemel Hempstead site and land for expansion to Kodak. Kodacolor film was introduced in 1957 and all the colorfilm processing in the UK was to be carried out at the Hemel Hempstead plant.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1192

SIEMENS ELECTRIC BATTERY RAZOR, 1938

An ordinary safety razor with modified blade holder which moves from side to side, driven by a small motor in the handle. Batteries are kept in a separate metal box.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1249

SINGLE HEAD PHILISHAVE, 1940

Philishave was the brand name for the electric shavers manufactured by the Philips Domestic Appliances and Personal Care unit of Philips (in the U.S.A., the Norelco name is used instead). In recent years, Philips extended the Philishave brand to include hair clippers, beard trimmers and beard shapers. Philips used the Philishave brand name for their shavers from 1939 to 2006.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1244

CURLING IRONS FOR HAIR, 1906

The Hair Curling Iron was heated inside an electric element on a stand. For domestic use.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1241

ELECTRIC MASSAGER, 1930's

Personal massaging equipment for the home. It has rubber pronged disks fitted to the motor and a mechanism to create a vibrating motion.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1239

ARNOLD HAIR REMOVAL UNIT, 1920's

Ladies hair removal system.
A simple needle and a wrist strap connected to a battery, and power control to increase the voltage. The needle is inserted into the channel of the hair until it reaches the root, the voltage kills the root and the hair will whither and die.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1184

VANDRE HAIR REMOVER, 1930's

Ladies hair removal system. It consists of a simple needle and a wrist strap connected to a battery and power control, which gradually increases the voltage.

The needle is inserted into the channel of the hair until it reaches the root, the voltage kills the root and the hair will drop out.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1185

PIFCO HEAT MASSAGER, 1950's

Relieves Colds, Sinus, Rheumatic Pains, Muscular Aches and Pains, Stiff Neck, Sore Throat, Pains in the Back! or so the pamphlet says. Just switch on and rub over the affected area. Cost £4.00 in the 1950's. We think this might be considered Quackery.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1196

CARBON ARC SUN RAY LAMP, 1950's

A Health Ray Sun Lamp that uses two Carbon rods connected to the mains via a cooking element, this acts as a safety load.

When the carbons touch they create an arc of light that is very high in Ultra Violet light, making it ideal for a sun lamp. This unit would not only produce lots of smoke but the rods would continually need adjusting, as they quickly deteriorate when in use and burn away.

A0972