The road which led to Wahl Clipper Corporation becoming the world's leading manufacturer of electric hair clippers began when Leo J. Wahl experimented with an electromagnetic motor in 1911.
On October 14, 1919 Wahl applied for patents and Wahl Manufacturing Company was born. The unique product was the first practical clipper with the drive motor in the hand, rather than driven through a flexible shaft from a remote motor. The new Wahl Model 66 was easier to use and sold for half the price. On February 2, 1921, Leo J. Wahl, having received a patent on his new hair clipper, purchased 100% of the Wahl Manufacturing Company stock, renamed and incorporated the business as Wahl Clipper Corporation. Wahl worked directly with barbers to improve the efficiency and convenience of the hair clipper in the early years and growth was rapid. In the early 1940's the company installed its own plastic molding presses and continued to expand this critical in-house manufacturing capability. with the addition of various technologies, Wahl grew as a vertically integrated manufacturer. Always an innovator, Wahl was first with many new and revolutionary products...a tradition that continued in the family after his death in 1957. Among them are a variety if corded and cordless hair clippers, hair trimmers, facial hair groomers, hair dryers, shear sharpeners, a concentrate mixer, shears, brushes and combs- many of them years before their time.