Barbering

History of Barbering

Barbering has a rich history. Although the invention of electricity, metal shears, and clippers have changed the profession, significant changes have evolved due to changes in traditions, cultural trends, and political influences. Its important to understand the history of barbering and how it has developed into the profession it is today. Haircutting and Hairstyling dates as far back as the glacial age. 

Ancient Egyptian 

As early as 6,000 years ago, barbering services were performed by Egyptian nobility. The crude instruments were usually formed from sharpened flint or oyster shells. For the ancient Egyptians, it was commonly believed that evil spirits were capable of entering the body through the hair and that cutting your hair was an essential protective measure.

African Cultures

Africans would decorate there hair with beads, clays, colored bands, or braids. The hair style signified their status. 

Middle East

Biblical references showed barbering was available to the general populace during Moses time.

Ancient Greece

Barbering became an ancient art in the golden years of Greece from 500 to 300 BC. Well trimmed beards were a status symbol until Alexander the great's army lost several battles due to long beards with the Persians. Persians would grab a hold of an warrior's beard and drag them to the ground then behead them. Alexander issued a decree that all soldiers will be clean shaven thus influencing the trends of barbers. The first barbershops were created and became meeting places for men, to talk about philosophy, politics, or communal matters.

Roman Empire

Ticinius Mena is credited for bringing shaving and barbering services to Rome in 296 BC. Clean shaven faces were a trend until Hadrian came into power in 117 AD. He grew his beard to hide scars on his chin which started a trend of long beards among the populace.  Barbers were called “tonsors”, and also between Romans, the tonsorial profession was highly respected. Romans were very concerned about their look, and soon, the “tonstrinae” (barbershops), like in Greece, became an important place of reunion for Roman men. The operation of shaving beards was made only with water and razors made of bronze and sharpened with stones or by means of depilation with beeswax and tweezers. Barbers also practiced head massages and made their clients some manicure and pedicure services, and also used to perfume their hair with oils and scents.

Belief's, rituals, and superstitions of early civilizations has influenced the barbering profession significantly. Many civilizations believed that hair clippings could bewitch and individual therefore hair cutting was the job of a priest, medicine man, or spiritual leader. 

Greek Philosopher Pythagoras believed that the hair was the source of one's intelligence therefore cutting one's hair would decrease an individuals intellectual capabilities.

The Irish Peasantry believed that if hair clippings were burned or buried with the dead, it would prevent evil spirits from haunting them.

In many cultures, hair styles dictated the status of an individual within a society or tribe.

Many cultures would dye their hair as an increase in dimensions of their status. The ancient Britons, were extremely proud of their long hair and would dye there hair bright blond. Darker hair was treated with dyes extracted and processed out of plants, trees, and various soils.

In ancient Rome, women's hair color indicated her class or rank. Noble women would have red hair, middle class would be blond, and the poor would dye their hair black.

Danes, Angles, and Normans would dress there hair with ornaments.

In later centuries, religion occupation, and politics influenced length and style of hair and the way barbers would cut an individual's hair or shave or trim an beard. Clergymen of the middle ages were distinguished by the Tonsure which is a shaved patch on the crown of the head.

The eleventh century was brought on by the return of long hair and beards. Priest would braid and curl there hair and beards Until pope Gregory issued a decree that faces must be shaved and must have short hair. 

Many cultural leaders throughout the centuries became trendsetters based on their powers or positions. People would wear wigs or cut their hair short because of baldness or misfortunes of their leaders involving hairstyles and beards.

By the Middle ages barbers provided tonsorial services but also dabbled in the world of medicine. Clergy would perform procedures known as bloodletting and barbers would assist but in 1163 Pope alexander III forbade clergy to act as physicians and surgeons so barbers took over. Dentistry was only performed by barbers. This profession was known as barber-surgeons.

The first barber-surgeon organization was formed in France in 1096 AD and by the 1100's had created a guild. In thirteenth century the company founded schools to instruct barbers in the practice of surgery.  The Worshipful Company of Barbers was formed in London, England in 1308. The company was ruled by a master and consisted of two kinds of barbers, one who specialized in surgery and the other that practice in barbering. A parliamentary act united the two groups in 1450. In 1745, a law in England was passed that separated barbers from surgeons. 

Formed in the late 1800's, Master Barber Groups: employer organization and Journeyman Barber Groups: employee organization, were the first steps towards upgrading and regulating the profession. Set first standards.

Barber's Protective Association was organized in 1886. In 1887 became known as the Journeyman Barbers' International Union of America. in 1963, the name was changed again to Journeyman Barbers', Hairdressers, Cosmetologists, and Proprietors' International Union of America.

Passed in 1897, the first barber-licensing law set standards for barbering for sanitation, education, and licensing requirements in the state of Minnesota.

Associated Master Barbers and Beauticians of America (AMBBA): formily known as the Associated Master Barbers of America that was formed in 1924. Name was changed in 1941 when beauty salon owners and managers were added.

The National Association of Barbering schools was formed in 1927.

The National Association of State Board of Barber Examiners was created in 1929.

National Association of Barber Boards of America (NABBA): Established month of september as National barber month.