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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

Christina Jenkins (1920 -)

If you were ever wondering who invented the first hair weaving process, look no further than Christina Jenkins. She received a patent in 1951 after launching her company Christina’s HairWeev Penthouse Salon with Duke Jenkins. Prior to that, she worked for a wig company and invented a more secure and longer-lasting installation process.

While there was nothing about wigs and hairpieces, she created a new way to attach the weave onto the hair, using thread instead of pins

The weaving process was not like today’s wefted weave installs. More similar to weave links, strands are attached directly to the hair, but instead of glue, they are tied via thread to the base of the hair. She traveled across the world teaching her innovative weaving techniques and ran her Cleveland based salon until 1993.

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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.