What do you do when you find something and you have no idea what it is? Some people will just throw it in the trash, thinking that they will never use it in other people will be just curious enough to find out what they are holding.
That happened to somebody who found some unusual rods when they were looking through a box in the attic. They didn’t recognize them, but rather than throwing them away, they went online and decided to find out what they were. They were surprised.
These may look like unusual items, but they were actually very popular, especially in the 1970s and 1980s. They are still used, to a certain extent today, but not nearly as often as they were in the past.
These little rods are known as perm rods, they are the rollers or curling rods that were used to create the permanent waves popular during the perm hairstyle. They have gone out of style, and therefore have become vintage items.
Just because they are old does not necessarily mean that they should be discarded. These are a piece of history that really helped to change the way people looked, as perm hairstyles were very popular.
These little rods are older than just 30 or 40 years. The perm hairstyle first became a thing in the early 20th century and they were popular. During the perm process, the structure of the hair is chemically altered so that waves or curls are created.
As a result of the hairstyle, a tool was needed to hold the hair in place while the treatment occurred. Early on when perms first became popular, the rods were simple and made from plastic or metal. They were simple cylinders.
Eventually, however, there were some significant advancements in the way that perm rods were made. By the time the 1950s and 1960s rolled around, the popularity for perm hairstyles was increasing so manufacturers started making rods from different materials and in different sizes.
In the 70s, 80s, and 90s, perms became one of the more popular hairstyles in existence. The rods were used in salons and homes as people started adding curves and waves to their hair. It was a high-maintenance look with a low maintenance care.
Something else that happened in the 70s and 80s was that home perm kits became popular. These would also contain the solution and rods, along with detailed instructions. Perms became more and more accessible to everyone.
These older rods may not be used any longer, although you certainly could use them if they were in good condition. They are more of a collector’s item, and if you have a set that is still in working condition, you may be able to get some money for them.