Thursday, January 16, 2025
On display in the “Beauty Parlor” at the Coryell Museum and Historical Center, visitors might notice a strange object with wires dangling down - attached to human hair. What they will be looking at is an early form of a Permanent Wave Machine, which was designed to make straight hair become curly.
This method of curling hair became popular in the late 1930’s and involved using heated rollers rigged up to a machine and then becoming electrified – occasionally known to burn a scalp every now and then. Using a combination of chemicals and electrically heated clamps, a customer would have to exhibit a little patience because they were (more or less) “bound” to the machine by their hair and could not move.
During this era, it was common for women with straight hair to want permanent curls and waves; those with naturally curly hair wanted their hair straightened.
Today, it is far less complicated for those wishing to have curly hair. With the creation of the curling iron, a person can create curls at home and not have to be “electrified” at the beauty parlor as they were during the 1930’s and 40’s.
Take a minute to visit the museum and glance around the Beauty Parlor exhibit. The museum is full of interesting and unusual items such as the electric Permanent Wave Machine.
Visitors are also welcome to drop by the museum located at 718 E. Main to view the massive spur collection. Coryell Museum and Historical Center is open Wednesday through Saturday, as is the gift shop. Yearly, Coryell Museum memberships are $20 for singles, $30 for families, and $40 for businesses, which includes free admission to the museum, plus four newsletters. Of course, large and small donations are welcome at all times.
Coryell Museum offers area schools and tour groups a delightful, guided tour through the museum with docents at many exhibits. Call the museum at 254-865-5007 to plan a visit.
