Hairbrush
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A hairbrush is a small brush with rigid bristles used in hair care for brushing, styling, and detangling human hair, or for brushing a domestic animal's fur. The earliest US patent for a modern hairbrush was by Hugh Rock in 1854 (US Design Patent #D645). A brush with elastic wire teeth along with natural bristles was patented by Samuel Firey in 1870 as U.S. Patent 106,680.
Contents
Grooming
It is typically used on longer hair, while a comb is normally used on shorter hair, but can be still used for short hair. A flat brush is normally used for detangling hair, a round brush for styling and curling hair, especially by a professional stylist, and with a blowdryer. A paddle brush is used to straighten hair. A hairbrush is also useful in removing loose hairs, and in increasing circulation to the scalp.
The brushing of a domestic animal's fur is often perceived as a mark of affection and/or a bonding experience, which can have a soothing effect, e.g. making a cat purr. Special brushes are made for cats and dogs. For an equine's tougher hair, a curry-comb is used.
The hairbrush in popular culture
A hairbrush—or the lack of one—is featured in the Veggie Tales Silly Song With Larry, "The Hairbrush Song" ("Oh, Where Is My Hairbrush?"). Larry, being a cucumber, has no hair. A hairbrush is traditionally and still used today as an implement for corporal punishment in England, and is frequently shown in illustrations depicting spanking. The flat side is usually applied to the miscreant's buttocks, however the bristled side is occasionally used for punishment.
The hairbrush in corporal punishment
It was occasionaly used as an alternative punishment from the cane for girls or junior pupils in schools when corporal punishment was common. However now that Corporal Punishment in all school's in the UK has been banned, it is solely used in the domestic scene. Associated with smacked bottom's cheifly handed out by the mother, often the child will be told to fetch their own hairbrush to add to their humiliation before being smacked/spanked. Due to the nautre and size of most hairbrushes, punishments are carried out with the child laying across a parents lap whilst having their bottom's smacked. Paralells can be drawn between the use of the hairbrush in the UK and the paddle in the US.
Sources and external links
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