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9 Black Inventors Who Made Hair History

These history-makers hold patents for hair tools we still use today.

Published on February 3, 2021

By now, we should all know that Black beauty is big business. We spend anywhere from $2.5 to 8 billion in the U.S. Black haircare market. If you throw in weaves, extensions, and hair tools shipped in from overseas, that figure is closer to $500 billion. Yet, we often forget that we are not just spenders, but innovators and inventors of the products that have changed the landscape of beauty — for everyone.

Black inventors have long been pushing the needle on beauty innovations, creating such tools as hot combs and afro picks that we still use today. While many know of beauty pioneer Madam C.J. Walker — who holds the Guinness World Records title as the first female self-made millionaire in the U.S., there are many more who should be on your radar.

Swipe through to learn more about nine inventors who hold patents for products that have helped change Black hair history.

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Stephenetta (isis) Harmon

Stephenetta Harmon is a Black beauty editor, curator, and digital media and communications expert who builds platforms to celebrate the power, impact, and business of Black beauty. Prior to founding Sadiaa Black Beauty Guide, she served as editor-in-chief for the MN Spokesman-Recorder and digital media director for Hype Hair. Find her at stephenetta.com.