The 5 Best New Hairstyling Products—and Their Humble Origins

Then

In 1973 Conair debuted the Yellowbird, the first pistol-grip handheld hair dryer for use at home. The machine had an anemic motor that made blow-drying a drawn-out affair.

Now

Conair 276 Infiniti Pro Volume Boost Styler ($46, Conair.com) is lightweight and uses a motor typically found in professional hair dryers to produce stronger air flow. Ceramic plates help to evenly distribute heat, and ionic technology releases negatively charged particles to smooth frizz.