My name is Lyda Newman and I was born in Ohio. I’m an African-American woman, inventor, women’s rights activist and a hairdresser.
One day, I thought to myself, why don’t you invent a hairbrush? The current ones were made of boar’s hair. I wanted the process of brushing hair to be more hygienic and efficient.
So, in 1898, I applied for a United States patent for a new style of hairbrush and received it in November of that year. My brush is the first with synthetic bristles.
87 Words
This was written for the Weekend Writing Prompt by Sammi Cox. For instructions, click Here.
Sources: Famous Women Inventors; Biography; Wikipedia; Lemelson Mit;
Thanks for this beautiful history lesson. Cheers
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You’re welcome, Dee. Too often, we don’t learn the history about African-Americans who have made such an impact on so many lives.
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You’re so right. Great that you’re contributing to changing that 👍🏽👍🏽
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It’s important that I do this. So many wonderful stories which need to be told and be an inspiration for everyone, especially children of color who need all the role models they can get.
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Indeed. We have to keep the culture alive and pass on to generations.
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Without her we wouldn’t have the hairbrush as it is today.
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That’s right.
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Looking around me now I see so many things we just accept as being part of the normal without giving a thought as to how they came to exist!
My 87!
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I know exactly what you mean, Keith.
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Great tell and lesson. Alas, of the many brushes I need these days, one for hair is, sadly, no longer required. 🙂
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Thanks, Bill. It was such a pleasure writing about her. I imagined her asking herself why not invent a hairbrush that would work for her and others. I’m sorry to hear you no longer need one but am happy that you enjoyed the story and lesson 🙂
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You’re welcome.
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🙂
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Very cool! I love reading something that is not only entertaining, but that teaches me something. Thank you for a newfound appreciation of hairbrushes!
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Thanks, Michael. Yes, it was pretty neat finding out about her and sharing it so that we can all appreciate what she has accomplished.
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