Harper, Solomon
1895-1980 · Contribution: 1930 / 1953
Electrically heated hair-treating implement (first electrically heated hair roller/curler) and later thermostatically controlled hair curlers, combs, and irons
Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Impact on the world
Created the first electrically heated hair roller and pioneered thermostatic temperature control for heated styling tools, a basis for modern heated rollers and irons.
Life & background
African-American electrical engineer, veteran, and inventor (28+ inventions) born Oct 8, 1895 in Poplar Grove, Arkansas; based in New York, NY. Struggled for recognition and compensation. Died Dec 8, 1980.
Sources
- U.S. Patent 1,772,002; Howard University (Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Solomon Harper papers finding aid)
More in Household & Domestic Inventions
Alexander, Nathaniel
unknown
Improved folding chair with a pivoting, integrated book rest, designed for churches, Sunday schools, auditoriums, and choirs
Ammons, Virgie
1908-2000
Fireplace throat damper
Ashbourne, Alexander P.
c.1820-1915
Spring-loaded biscuit/cake cutter (hinged molding board with interchangeable shaped plates to cut a whole batch at once); pioneering processes for refining, treating, and preparing coconut oil for domestic use
Bailey, Leonard C.
1825-1918
Folding cabinet bed (U.S. Patent 629,286, 1899), adopted by the U.S. Army; also patented an Army-adopted hernia truss and a rapid mail-stamping machine, and co-founded Washington's Capitol Savings Bank