This Black History Month, we celebrate Marjorie Joyner — a trailblazing businesswoman, educator, inventor, philanthropist, and activist whose innovation transformed the beauty industry.
Joyner is best known as the inventor of the permanent hair-wave machine, a device used by people with both curly and straight hair to create long-lasting styles. In 1928, she became one of the first African-American women to patent such a groundbreaking tool, revolutionizing cosmetology and salon efficiency across the country.
The Inspiration Behind the Invention
Joyner’s idea came from an unlikely place: her kitchen. While preparing a pot roast, she noticed how metal rods were used to hold the meat together. That observation sparked a creative breakthrough. She developed a prototype featuring 16 rods attached to a dryer hood, allowing heat to “set” curls into the hair — essentially “cooking” the curls for a style that lasted far longer than traditional methods.
How It Worked
The permanwave machine used controlled heat to reshape hair texture, enabling multiple sections of hair to be styled at once instead of one by one. This dramatically reduced styling time, expanded options for both curly and straight hair, and allowed salons to serve more clients efficiently.
Scalp Protector Patent
Understanding the discomfort heat styling could cause, Joyner also patented a scalp protector, designed to shield clients from burns and make the process safer and more comfortable.
A Historic Achievement
As an executive and national supervisor for the Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company, Joyner helped expand one of the most successful Black-owned enterprises in the nation. Although she assigned the patent rights to the company and did not personally profit from her invention, her contribution marked a major advancement in cosmetology and created expanded opportunities for Black women in business and beauty education.
Lasting Legacy
Beyond her invention, Joyner trained thousands of beauticians, built professional networks, and uplifted her community through education and activism. Her influence continues to be felt in salons around the world today.
Thank you, Marjorie Joyner, for paving the way.
