Design Stories: Exploring Everyday Things

From Household to Beauty: The History of General Electric

When examining the production of the General Electric Hair Dryer, it is important to consider the company’s long history of technological innovation and manufacturing when it comes to various industries. The General Electric Company was incorporated in 1892, and during the 19th century, the company became known for revolutionizing and shifting the perspective in already existing industries by introducing advanced technologies (Montevirgen, 2007). In 1947, General Electric introduced automatic laundry machines, which marked a significant advancement when it came to household appliances. By 1955, General Electric had expanded to supply locomotives to Union Pacific (Montevirgen, 2007). 

General Electric was a well known dominant force in household appliances, and later expand their brand to creating tools for women’s personal care. Throughout the 1960s, the company became a major manufacturer of hairdryers, designing models which eventually became known for their durability, as well as their more modern design with innovative features. It was crucial for General Electric to prioritize safety by designing hair dryers with motors enclosed within the casing, which would reduce the risk of electrical hazards for users (CultureNL Museums, n.d.). During the 1950s and 60s, bonnet hair dryers like this GE model gained popularity because they allowed for even heat distribution across the head (CultureNL Museums, n.d.). Continuing into the late 19th century, General Electric eventually ventured into laser development in 1962 (CultureNL Museums, n.d.).

This page has paths: