Hairdryer

/ˈhɛrdraɪər/ noun

Definition

An electric device that blows heated air to dry and style hair quickly.

Etymology

Compound word formed from 'hair' (Old English 'hǣr') and 'dryer' (from 'dry' plus agent suffix '-er'). The first handheld hair dryer was invented in 1920 by the Racine Universal Motor Company.

Kelly Says

Early hair dryers were often connected to vacuum cleaners, literally reversing the airflow to blow instead of suck. The iconic bonnet-style salon dryers of the 1950s created a social space where women could chat while their hair dried.

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