 Around 1920, hair dryers began to go on the market in handheld form.This was due to innovations by National Stamping and Electricworks under the white cross brand, and later U.S. Racine Universal Motor Company and the Hamilton Beach Co., which allowed the dryer to be small enough to be held by hand.Even in the 1920s, the new dryers were often heavy, weighing in at approximately , and were difficult to use.