History of the Permanent Wave Machine

Marjorie Joyner
An employee of Madame Walker’s empire, Majorie Joyner, invented a permanent wave machine. This device, patented in 1928, curled or "permed" women’s hair for a relatively lengthy period of time. The wave machine was popular among women white and black allowing for longer-lasting wavy hair styles. Marjorie Joyner went on to become a prominent figure in Walker’s industry, though Majorie Joyner never profited directly from her invention, for it was the assigned property of the Walker Company. Marjorie Joyner was born in 1896 in the rural Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and moved to Chicago to study cosmetology. Madam Walker was a Chicago business women who had come to fame as the beauty product supplier to hollywood star Josephine Baker. Marjorie Stewart Joyner invented her wave machine as a solution to the hair problems of African American women, however, she never profited from her invention. Madame Walker owned the rights.

Marjorie Joyner became the Director of Madame Walker's beauty schools. Together with Mary Bethune Mcleod, Majorie Joyner founded the United Beauty School Owners and Teachers Association in 1945. She also volunteered for several charities that helped house, educate, and find work for African Americans during the Great Depression.

Madame Walker was a St. Louis washerwoman turned entrepreneur, who in 1905 invented a method to soften and smooth black women's hair. Joyner worked for Madam Walker's company. For further information on the History of Permanent Waving click on the about.com address Below:

http://www.inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bljoyner.htm