WAHL turns 100

Bad clippers make for bad haircuts. Every boy and every man knows there’s nothing worse than tiger stripes, patchiness or a bad blend. As a young man, Leo J. Wahl, a young entrepreneur, frequented barber shops selling his massager powered by an electromagnetic motor. He intuitively noticed that the tools barbers were using lacked in performance and usability. Leo knew he could do it better. And he did.

In 2019, Wahl Clipper Corporation is celebrating 100 years of innovation, growth, and of course, good haircuts.

Barbers were once known for far more than just haircuts. Whether a man needed a beard trim, a tooth pulled or some old-fashioned bloodletting, the local barber had you covered. On top of having a lengthy resume, barbers determined a man’s appearance and, in turn, his confidence. Barbers across the country were clipping and trimming a medium length, slicked look called the helmet head***, the most popular haircut in the USA in 1919 when the Model 66 was unveiled. Leo J. Wahl paired his electromagnetic motor with a magnetic coil and an alternating current, sliding one blade back and forth while the other stayed static.

The original Model 66 Clipper outperformed and outsold competitors. Where others may ride the success into retirement, this tireless inventor continued to push the product to improve. And it did.

As hairstyles continued to change, barbers and Wahl Clippers did too. Leo J. Wahl worked closely with barbers and was quick to apply their feedback to his evolving product line. In 1935, came the Silent Giant. Barbershops were home to weekly conversation among men while their wives were away. The 1935 Silent Giant was big, but it was also very quiet which made conversation easier while never sacrificing quality of another good haircut.

In 1940, plastic molding presses were added to Wahl Clipper Corporation’s tool belt. This paved (shaved) the way for the Taper Giant in 1941. The Taper Giant started with a metal casing. By 1946, using plastic injection molding instead, the Taper Giant became even lighter and easier to maneuver. The plastic molding presses also allowed for plastic guide combs to be molded and manufactured in-house meaning lessened expense with added simplicity. In 2001, the guide combs became more user-friendly and were color-coded with the Color Pro.

Wahl’s products were great, proven by their continuing rise in sales. In the 1950’s, Wahl infiltrated the profitable yet competitive international market. It wasn’t as simple as exporting the products. Different countries have different voltages and dozens of different plug and socket types. Thanks to the success, Wahl opened its manufacturing facility in Ontario, Canada shortly after.

Leo J. Wahl passed away on May 20, 1957. Throughout his life, he was a determined inventor, entrepreneur, businessman and sales genius. He applied for over 100 patents, many of which encapsulated that original electromagnet motor from the 1911 massager. The family was broken-hearted but made Leo proud by continuing his company and legacy in his absence.

In 1965, Wahl blew minds with the suction of the revolutionary Vac Clipper, a clipper with a built-in vacuum that made clean up a breeze. The iconic unveiling showed a man in a cleanly pressed shirt getting a haircut without a single hair littering his outfit.

In the 1960’s, the first Wahl Clipper declared freedom from the outlet. Wahl Clipper Corporation introduced the first-of-its-kind rechargeable clipper. But as Wahl strayed further from the outlet, men fled the barbershops and let their hair down. Yes, the late 60’s and early 70’s sported long hair and long beards as the hippie movement gained momentum. But one group stayed very consistent with their grooming schedule.

Pet owners and groomers rejoice. The first Wahl Pet Clipper debuted in 1961. Thanks to their connections in barbershops, the Wahl family was able to best predict the drop in clipper sales and not only adapt, but capitalize on the animal clipper market.

In 1984, Wahl introduced the Groomsman Trimmer and the start of the beard trimming category as a whole. Beard trimmers were another category that Wahl was at the forefront of thanks to such close relationships with the professional and consumer market. 80s

By the 1990’s, Wahl opened locations in Germany, Hungary, China, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Big things came in small packages in 1992 with the debut of The Peanut. The concept was to create a small, lightweight trimmer and the final product was only four ounces. The Peanut turned out to be one of the most popular products Wahl ever created. It was the first and only of its kind and is now available in a peanut-shaped design.

Great haircuts were happening across the globe, but Wahl didn’t stop there. 3, 2, 1 blast off! In 2002, Wahl developed a special product for NASA astronauts. Thanks to a lack of gravity, a haircut required two people: one to trim the hair and one to catch the clumps of hair before they floated away and clogged the ship's equipment. The Aero Clipper is designed to handle temperatures ranging from -58 to -122 while sucking up hairs as they are clipped. Wahl’s Aero Clipper has been certified for flight and used by NASA astronauts since 2004.

Come 2011, Lithium Ion was welcomed into the clipper family after the previous debut in the cordless beard trimmer category. The Lithium Ion Pro Hair Clipper became a quick bestseller for Wahl. The battery charged faster, held a charge longer and provided 50 percent more hair clipping power than its predecessors.

After 100 years of innovation, Wahl continues to adapt and improve products along with advances in technology and consumer needs. To date, Wahl has sold millions of hair clippers worldwide with dozens of different clippers manufactured today. Still family-owned (fourth generation) and operated in hometown Sterling, Ill. USA, Wahl products may change, but the commitment to integrity, value and efficiency will always remain constant. Wahl manufactures on four continents, holds offices on six continents and exports to 165 different countries including many military bases. As the world leader in clipping and grooming appliances we look forward to more great things to come in the next century.

WAHL will be celebrating their 100th year at Beautyworld Middle East on April 15 - 18. Visit them on Stand F28 where global educator Simon Shaw will be performing live demonstrations!

Bad clippers make for bad haircuts. Every boy and every man knows there’s nothing worse than tiger stripes, patchiness or a bad blend. As a young man, Leo J. Wahl, a young entrepreneur, frequented barber shops selling his massager powered by an electromagnetic motor. He intuitively noticed that the tools barbers were using lacked in performance and usability. Leo knew he could do it better. And he did.

In 2019, Wahl Clipper Corporation is celebrating 100 years of innovation, growth, and of course, good haircuts.

Barbers were once known for far more than just haircuts. Whether a man needed a beard trim, a tooth pulled or some old-fashioned bloodletting, the local barber had you covered. On top of having a lengthy resume, barbers determined a man’s appearance and, in turn, his confidence. Barbers across the country were clipping and trimming a medium length, slicked look called the helmet head***, the most popular haircut in the USA in 1919 when the Model 66 was unveiled. Leo J. Wahl paired his electromagnetic motor with a magnetic coil and an alternating current, sliding one blade back and forth while the other stayed static.

The original Model 66 Clipper outperformed and outsold competitors. Where others may ride the success into retirement, this tireless inventor continued to push the product to improve. And it did.

As hairstyles continued to change, barbers and Wahl Clippers did too. Leo J. Wahl worked closely with barbers and was quick to apply their feedback to his evolving product line. In 1935, came the Silent Giant. Barbershops were home to weekly conversation among men while their wives were away. The 1935 Silent Giant was big, but it was also very quiet which made conversation easier while never sacrificing quality of another good haircut.

In 1940, plastic molding presses were added to Wahl Clipper Corporation’s tool belt. This paved (shaved) the way for the Taper Giant in 1941. The Taper Giant started with a metal casing. By 1946, using plastic injection molding instead, the Taper Giant became even lighter and easier to maneuver. The plastic molding presses also allowed for plastic guide combs to be molded and manufactured in-house meaning lessened expense with added simplicity. In 2001, the guide combs became more user-friendly and were color-coded with the Color Pro.

Wahl’s products were great, proven by their continuing rise in sales. In the 1950’s, Wahl infiltrated the profitable yet competitive international market. It wasn’t as simple as exporting the products. Different countries have different voltages and dozens of different plug and socket types. Thanks to the success, Wahl opened its manufacturing facility in Ontario, Canada shortly after.

Leo J. Wahl passed away on May 20, 1957. Throughout his life, he was a determined inventor, entrepreneur, businessman and sales genius. He applied for over 100 patents, many of which encapsulated that original electromagnet motor from the 1911 massager. The family was broken-hearted but made Leo proud by continuing his company and legacy in his absence.

In 1965, Wahl blew minds with the suction of the revolutionary Vac Clipper, a clipper with a built-in vacuum that made clean up a breeze. The iconic unveiling showed a man in a cleanly pressed shirt getting a haircut without a single hair littering his outfit.

In the 1960’s, the first Wahl Clipper declared freedom from the outlet. Wahl Clipper Corporation introduced the first-of-its-kind rechargeable clipper. But as Wahl strayed further from the outlet, men fled the barbershops and let their hair down. Yes, the late 60’s and early 70’s sported long hair and long beards as the hippie movement gained momentum. But one group stayed very consistent with their grooming schedule.

Pet owners and groomers rejoice. The first Wahl Pet Clipper debuted in 1961. Thanks to their connections in barbershops, the Wahl family was able to best predict the drop in clipper sales and not only adapt, but capitalize on the animal clipper market.

In 1984, Wahl introduced the Groomsman Trimmer and the start of the beard trimming category as a whole. Beard trimmers were another category that Wahl was at the forefront of thanks to such close relationships with the professional and consumer market. 80s

By the 1990’s, Wahl opened locations in Germany, Hungary, China, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Big things came in small packages in 1992 with the debut of The Peanut. The concept was to create a small, lightweight trimmer and the final product was only four ounces. The Peanut turned out to be one of the most popular products Wahl ever created. It was the first and only of its kind and is now available in a peanut-shaped design.

Great haircuts were happening across the globe, but Wahl didn’t stop there. 3, 2, 1 blast off! In 2002, Wahl developed a special product for NASA astronauts. Thanks to a lack of gravity, a haircut required two people: one to trim the hair and one to catch the clumps of hair before they floated away and clogged the ship's equipment. The Aero Clipper is designed to handle temperatures ranging from -58 to -122 while sucking up hairs as they are clipped. Wahl’s Aero Clipper has been certified for flight and used by NASA astronauts since 2004.

Come 2011, Lithium Ion was welcomed into the clipper family after the previous debut in the cordless beard trimmer category. The Lithium Ion Pro Hair Clipper became a quick bestseller for Wahl. The battery charged faster, held a charge longer and provided 50 percent more hair clipping power than its predecessors.

After 100 years of innovation, Wahl continues to adapt and improve products along with advances in technology and consumer needs. To date, Wahl has sold millions of hair clippers worldwide with dozens of different clippers manufactured today. Still family-owned (fourth generation) and operated in hometown Sterling, Ill. USA, Wahl products may change, but the commitment to integrity, value and efficiency will always remain constant. Wahl manufactures on four continents, holds offices on six continents and exports to 165 different countries including many military bases. As the world leader in clipping and grooming appliances we look forward to more great things to come in the next century.

WAHL will be celebrating their 100th year at Beautyworld Middle East on April 15 - 18. Visit them on Stand F28 where global educator Simon Shaw will be performing live demonstrations!