Comb facts for kids

A modern plastic comb

A comb is a tool used to care for hair or other fibers. It has small pieces sticking out of a main frame; these are called "teeth." A comb is usually flat.

Humans have been using combs as a tool for a long time, at least for 5000 years. Combs are used by humans to separate tangled hairs, to keep their hair clean and to style their hair. They are also used as a decoration for hair.

Combs are used in the making of thread from fibers like wool or cotton. Combing makes all the fibres point the same way so a thread can be spun.

History

The first use of the comb was about 5,000 years ago. In fact, different kind of versions of the comb have been found throughout history by archaeologists. The ancient Egyptians carved out combs. In ancient China, combs were worn as hair decorations and accessories. Over time, combs have become into tools for taking care of hair. Today, there are hundreds of different kinds of combs.

Use

Combs can be used to fix stray hairs and untangle wet hair. Another common use for the comb is to make hair be put in one position before tying it up. Combs may also be used to part hair for coloring, conditioning and braiding. Combs can also be worn as accessories that hold hair up in a special style.

Images for kids

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  Dante Gabriel Rossetti – Woman Combing Her Hair (1865)

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  Afro picks

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  nit comb, made of bent twigs, Sutz-Lattrigen, around 2700 BC

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  Modern artisan metal combs crafted from brass, stainless steel, titanium and sterling silver.

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  Ancient Egyptian comb, c. fifteenth century BC

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  Etruscan comb, c. seventh century BC

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  Scythian comb, c. 400 BC

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  Ancient Roman comb

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  The world's oldest runic inscription (160 AD) on the Vimose comb, Denmark

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  A liturgical comb, possibly made in Italy, fifteenth century

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  A set of combs found on the 16th-century ship Mary Rose

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  Ivory sculptured comb of the sixteenth century

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  Indian metal comb for keeping hair in place, adorned with a pair of birds. After removing the central stopper, perfume can be poured into the opening in order to moisten the teeth of the comb and the hair of the wearer.

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  A Punjabi wooden comb

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  Head louse comb

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  Artisan hand-finished metal comb

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  Bamboo comb of the Kanak people

See also

In Spanish: Peine para niños