Collections: Decorative Arts: Hair Dryer and Stand

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Hair Dryer and Stand

• Manufacturer: A.C. Gilbert Company
• Designer: Harry S. Preble Jr., American, 20th century
• Medium: Plastic, metal
• Place Manufactured: New Haven, Connecticut, USA
• Dates: Patented June 6, 1944
• Dimensions: (a) Hairdryer: 5 3/4 x 2 1/2 x 4 3/8 in. (14.6 x 6.4 x 11.1 cm) (b) Stand: 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. (8.9 x 11.4 x 11.4 cm)
• Markings: (a) Printed on metal plate attached to underside of nozzle on hairdryer: "(in red) THE A. C. GILBERT CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN., U.S.A. / (in black) 110-120 V 275 WATTS / 60 CYCLES AC ONLY / CAT. NO. B-96 TYPE / PAT. NOS. D138044, / 2454667" (b) Inscribed on underside of stand: "P4593"
• Collections: Decorative Arts
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
• Accession Number: 2000.52a-b
• Credit Line: Gift of M. Christmann Zulli in honor of Robert Kaye
• Image: Overall, 2000.52a-b_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
A.C. Gilbert Company. Hair Dryer and Stand, Patented June 6, 1944. Plastic, metal, (a) Hairdryer: 5 3/4 x 2 1/2 x 4 3/8 in. (14.6 x 6.4 x 11.1 cm) (b) Stand: 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. (8.9 x 11.4 x 11.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of M. Christmann Zulli in honor of Robert Kaye, 2000.52a-b (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2000.52a-b_bw.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Stream-lined electric, hand-held plastic hairdryer (a) and metal stand (b), both painted rust-brown color. (a) Hairdryer has cylindrical handle which tapers down into rounded bottom and flares outward at top where it continues into nozzle. Series of parallel, grooved horizontal lines divide handle into sections; second lowest section has rectangular cut-outs and it revolves to turn dryer on/off and to set temperature (at "C" for cool or "H" for hot). Cord extends from center of rounded bottom of handle. Nozzle is rounded rectangular form which extends from handle at 90-degree angle; comprised of two symmetrical halves (lower half is continuous with handle) joined by screws. Front end of nozzle tapers to flat side set with chrome metal grate; oblong holes for intake vent cut into top of nozzle near back; back end of nozzle rounded and flush with handle. (b) Stand comprised of round metal base that rises at center into rectangular platform that supports a U-shaped, thin metal strip; this strip forms a cradle for handle of dryer; top ends of cradle are curled over and inside lined with black felt (original?). CONDITION: Fair; all over nicks and scratches, dust and dirt inside grate and intake vents of dryer show use.