WIGS FROM SPUN GLASS

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1637, 2 January 1913, Page 2

WIGS FROM SPUN GLASS

No one outside the artificial hair business knows the difficulty that merchants in hair-goods hare experienced iri getting material of sufficient quality—cspejially in braids—at anything like the prices which most people are willing to pay; Many countries, indeed, place such restrictions on wig-makers, owing to hygienic reasons, that natural hair is becoming more and more rare. ■'■ -~-, ' In certain parts of France the expedient was rosortod to of making wigs from oertain fibrinous plants; especially was this done with those which have, served to furnish material for rugs and blankets. By splitting tho fibres very fine and treating them chemically, it was. possible to make artificial hair, but the [labour in» volved the asking or prices, that were almost prohibitive. Moreover, ' complaints were made that the substitute was not satisfactory, Horsehair was treated to a like process of division and brightening, but the imitation, except for the very poor class of trade, signally failed. Now, thanks to .a series of experiments, it has been found possible to utilise spun crystal, for the purpose, reducing it to any shade which may be desirod. and to any degree of fineness. Indeed, the resemblance to human hair.is said to be all but absolute. The new product has tho advantage, more, over, of weighing very littlo, and "hair" made of glass presents an appearance of .lustre and is, above all,. thoroughly hygienic.