InventorsMarjorie
Joyner
An
employee of Madame
Walker’s empire, Majorie Joyner, invented a permanent wave machine.
This device, patented in 1928, curled or "permed" women’s hair for a relatively
lengthy period of time. The wave machine was popular among women white
and black allowing for longer-lasting wavy hair styles. Marjorie Joyner
went on to become a prominent figure in Walker’s industry, though Majorie
Joyner never profited directly from her invention, for it was the assigned
property of the Walker Company.
Marjorie Joyner was born in 1896
in the rural Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and moved to Chicago to study
cosmetology. Madam Walker was a Chicago business women who had come to
fame as the beauty product supplier to hollywood star Josephine Baker.
Marjorie Stewart Joyner invented her wave machine as a solution to the
hair problems of African American women, however, she never profited form
her invention. Madame Walker owned the rights.
Marjorie Joyner became thee Director
of Madame Walker's beauty schools. Together with Mary Bethune Mcleod, Majorie
Joyner founded the United Beauty School Owners and Teachers Association
in 1945.
Marjorie Joyner also volunteered
for several charities that helped house, educate, and find work for African
Americans during the Great Depression.
Related Innovations Madame
Walker Madame Walker was a St. Louis washerwoman
turned entrepreneur, who in 1905 invented a method to soften and smooth
black women's hair. Joyner worked for Walker's company.
Women
Inventors Black
Inventors
