The first Curling tongs, Marcel Grateau

The first Curling tongs, Marcel Grateau 

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Marcel Grateau 1885-1936, who later changed his name to Francis, invented the curling iron, this is used by placing the iron on a hot stove and then using it in the hair in the same way as more contemporary techniques. At first Marcel used the iron to curl and straighten the hair of prostitutes. Most women wore their hair long, but once this new stylish curl was invented it was another option and soon became popular. This type of hair styling is called the 'Marcel wave' or 'Marcelling.' Another way of getting this style of curl in the hair without using an iron is rick racking; this technique is done by wrapping sections of hair around a pin and heating it into place, once the pin is removed the hair has a wavy curl to it. The type of wave curl that is made using this type of curling tong was popular well into the 1930's when short wave hair was in fashion.