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The electric hair clipper was invented by Leo J. Wahl over a decade, with the final design patented in 1921. Before the invention of electric hair clippers, manual clippers were widely used. These were invented in 1855 by Nikola Bizumić, a Serbian barber. Wahl's invention revolutionised the industry, and by 1920, his factory had manufactured and sold thousands of clippers to barbers across the United States. Today, electric hair clippers are a staple in barbershops worldwide, with Wahl remaining the biggest manufacturer of hair clippers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Leo J. Wahl |
| Year Invented | 1919 |
| Year Patented | 1921 |
| Motor Type | Electromagnetic |
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What You'll Learn
Leo J. Wahl invented the first electric hair clipper
The first electric hair clipper was invented by Leo J. Wahl, who began his inventing journey as a high school junior at Sterling High School, experimenting with a vibrating electromagnetic motor. As an engineering student at the University of Illinois, Wahl further developed his design ideas by creating a vibrating medical massager for his uncle, J. Frank Wahl. Recognising a gap in the market, Wahl sold his massagers to barbershops, all while considering ways to improve upon the industry's tools.
When his uncle was drafted to the Spanish-American War in 1898, Leo Wahl seized the opportunity to take over his uncle's manufacturing business and experiment with a new electric hair clipper design. In 1919, he applied for patents on his newly developed electromagnetic hair clipper, marking a significant step forward in hair clipper technology. Wahl's innovation was the first practical clipper with the drive motor in the hand, offering a more convenient and manoeuvrable alternative to the traditional setup, where the motor was connected to a separate motor via a flexible shaft.
By 1920, Wahl's factory had manufactured and sold thousands of clippers to barbers across the United States, revolutionising the haircutting industry. In 1921, he patented his final design, marking the culmination of over a decade of dedication and refinement. That same year, Wahl purchased 100% of the Wahl Manufacturing Company stock and renamed the business the Wahl Clipper Corporation, cementing his legacy in the world of hair clippers.
Until his death in 1957, Leo J. Wahl continued to collaborate with barbers nationwide, constantly striving to design more efficient and user-friendly hair clippers. His passion for innovation extended beyond hair clippers, as he also introduced various other hair care tools to the market. With over 100 patent applications to his name, Wahl left an indelible mark on the world of grooming and personal care.
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Manual hair clippers were invented by Nikola Bizumić in 1855
Manual clippers were widely used before the advent and cost reduction of electric hair clippers, which gradually replaced them in many countries. Electric hair clippers were invented by Leo J. Wahl, who first experimented with vibrating electromagnetic motors as a high school student. Wahl later designed a handheld massager for his uncle, Dr. Frank Wahl, who opened a manufacturing plant in Sterling, Illinois, to produce and sell the massagers.
After his uncle was drafted to the Spanish-American War in 1898, Leo J. Wahl took over the manufacturing business and continued to work on his inventions. By 1919, he had developed an electromagnetic hair clipper and applied for patents. Wahl's clippers were the first practical clippers with the drive motor in the hand, rather than connected to a separate motor. By 1920, his factory had manufactured and sold thousands of clippers to barbers across the United States.
In 1921, Wahl patented his final design for the electric hair clipper, and the Wahl Manufacturing Company was renamed the Wahl Clipper Corporation. Leo J. Wahl continued to work with barbers to improve his designs until his death in 1957. Today, Wahl remains the biggest manufacturer of hair clippers, with products in over 165 countries and providing employment to over 1,500 people worldwide.
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Electric clippers were first mass-produced in 1919
The first electric hair clippers were invented by Leo J. Wahl. As a high school junior, Wahl experimented with a vibrating electromagnetic motor. Later, as an engineering student at the University of Illinois, he improved his design by creating a vibrating medical massager for his uncle, Dr. Frank Wahl. Dr. Wahl opened a manufacturing plant in Sterling, Illinois, to produce and sell Leo's massagers.
Leo Wahl took over his uncle's manufacturing business after he was drafted to the Mexican Revolution in 1919. Leo used the opportunity to experiment with a new electric hair clipper design. That same year, he applied for patents on his newly developed electromagnetic hair clipper, and soon the clippers were being mass-produced at the Wahl Manufacturing Company. It was the first practical clipper with the drive motor in the hand, rather than connected to a separate motor through a flexible shaft.
Leo Wahl worked directly with barbers to improve his hair clippers. By 1920, his factory had manufactured and sold thousands of clippers to barbers across the United States. In 1921, he patented his final design of electric clippers, and he went on to purchase 100% of the Wahl Manufacturing Company stock. He renamed the business the Wahl Clipper Corporation, and it remains the biggest manufacturer of hair clippers today.
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Leo Wahl patented his final design in 1921
Leo J. Wahl invented the first electric hair clipper. As a high school student, Wahl experimented with a vibrating electromagnetic motor. Later, as an engineering student at the University of Illinois, he improved his design by creating a vibrating medical massager for his uncle, Dr. Frank Wahl. Recognising an opportunity to improve upon the barber industry's tools, Wahl began experimenting with a new electric hair clipper design when his uncle was drafted to the Spanish-American War in 1898.
In 1919, Wahl applied for patents on his newly developed electromagnetic hair clipper, and by the following year, his factory had manufactured and sold thousands of clippers to barbers across the United States. After nearly a decade in the making, Wahl patented his final design in 1921.
The Wahl Manufacturing Company mass-produced the first practical clipper with the drive motor in the hand, rather than connected to a separate motor through a flexible shaft. Wahl continued to work closely with barbers to improve his designs. In 1921, he purchased 100% of the company's stock and renamed the business the Wahl Clipper Corporation.
Until his death in 1957, Wahl worked with barbers across the United States to design more convenient and efficient hair clippers. He introduced other hair care tools and acquired over 100 patent applications throughout his life. Wahl's descendants still operate the company today, solidifying its reputation as the biggest manufacturer of hair clippers since 1919.
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Electric clippers have largely replaced manual clippers
The advent and reduction in cost of electric hair clippers have largely replaced manual clippers. Leo J. Wahl invented the first electric hair clipper in 1919, and by 1921, he had patented his final design. Before the invention of electric hair clippers, barbers used manual clippers, which were invented in 1855 by Nikola Bizumić, a Serbian barber. Manual clippers consist of a pair of sharpened comb-like blades in close contact, one above the other, with sides that slide sideways relative to each other. They are operated by a pair of handles that are alternately squeezed together and released.
Electric hair clippers work similarly to manual clippers but are driven by an electric motor, which makes the blades oscillate from side to side. The electric clippers designed by Wahl were the first practical clippers with the drive motor in the hand, rather than connected to a separate motor through a flexible shaft. Wahl focused on working directly with barbers to improve his hair clippers, and by 1920, his factory had manufactured and sold thousands of clippers to barbers across the United States.
The Wahl Clipper Corporation, previously known as the Wahl Manufacturing Company, remains the biggest manufacturer of hair clippers. As of 2010, the company had a presence in over 165 countries and employed over 1,500 people worldwide. Electric clippers have become indispensable tools for barbers, and it is challenging to imagine them without this innovation.
However, manual clippers are still used in certain contexts. In some Western countries, barbers continue to use manual clippers for trimming. Additionally, in the Russian army, conscripts entering boot camp sometimes have their hair cut close to the skin using manual clippers. Historically, manual clippers were used for head shaving as a form of punishment for specific groups in Greece during the early to mid-20th century.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric hair clippers were invented in 1919 by Leo J. Wahl, who first began experimenting with vibrating electromagnetic motors as a high school student.
Leo J. Wahl invented the electric hair clipper. He patented his final design in 1921, after taking over his uncle's manufacturing business in 1898.
The Wahl Manufacturing Company, or the Wahl Clipper Corporation, first manufactured and sold electric hair clippers.
