I managed to work my way through my research journey all the way up to 1900. I should mention that I have been scanning through old newspaper publications on Newspapers.com and using the search term "curling iron". I am slowly clipping different news items regarding curling irons and their use in the past. Through this search I have noticed a number of things that people have always done and will, more than likely, continue to do.
I feel like the more I read, the more I see that people have behaved in a similar fashion for a very long time. The newspaper was the social media feed. There are whole columns dedicated to the goings on of various individuals. Even down to the mundane of "Mrs. John Smith has recently returned from City". There are also advertisements that extoll the virtues of various hair products and beauty apparati. Stores telling you why you should shop there. It is funny to me to see these ads and see how they have hardly changed. I suppose they are a bit more forward in their presentation, but the message remains the same.
As for beauty related columns there is a lot of advice as to how to stay "up to the minute" with fashion. How to be as current as possible, including what things are going globally. There is advice on what is appropriate for one's hair and style for all ages. There are many, many little snippets about accidents occurring with the use of curling irons. Specifically, eye injuries and fires caused by exploding lamps and hot irons. It is amazing how dangerous beauty was "back in the day". I don't know that we have to worry as much now about damaging an eyeball with a curling iron. Mostly due to the fact that they weigh much less and you don't have to heat them on a fire.
This research has been a delight to work on. After I get to, probably, the 1960s on curling irons, then I shall start with another tool or technology and see what is available there. It will take some time, but I feel it is worth the effort. I enjoy reading these old newspapers and discovering that people are people and just the technology changes. I hope someday to be able to do more historical research from other countries and other sources.
If you are interested in seeing what I have selected as clippings of interest, I think you can use the following link: https://www.newspapers.com/clippings/#user=5739213
