With so many innovations in technology in this day and age, many of us take things for granted. In terms of beauty, for some women it could be their simple easy-fix solution may well be the lip plumping lip gloss for that immediate pout; or that lash extending mascara for the doe-eyed look that is their ultimate beauty fix. For others it could be hair straighteners to achieve the 'frizz to sleek' look in a matter of seconds.

However, women have long had a love-hate relationship with curls for many years - if you've got them you don't want them, whereas if your hair is poker straight you'd do anything for a natural wave. One hundred years ago, you probably wouldn't believe the extreme lengths ladies went to, to keep their hair straight. You may have heard of the desperate few who literally tried to iron their hair - with a domestic iron! Hair straightening was never an easy task and many a head of hair, and scalp, were ruined by some of the early methods.

There is much evidence to suggest that straightening combs and hot irons were available as far back as 1872, with one of the very first implements developed to straighten hair called the Straightening Comb. It was also around this time that inventor Marcel Grateau started using heated rods to straighten or style hair. This tool helped straighten the hair and caused less damage than other hair straightening techniques.

From the 1880s mastering hair styling techniques caught on; in 1880 French hairdresser Alexandre Godefroy attached a hood to the chimney pipe of a gas stove and created the world's first hair-dryer. In 1905, German hairdresser Charles Nessler invented the permanent wave for those who wanted curls and in 1906 Simon E. Monroe patented a hair straightener that comprised of metallic teeth that were combed through the hair. In 1909 Issac K. Shero patented more advanced hair straighteners, which were composed of two flat irons that were heated and pressed together.

Again in contrast, by the 1930s masses of women wanted a more bouncy look to their hair, which was helped by the introduction of the "cold wave", which took only two hours at the salon to achieve.

Over the years, the use of different metals and materials has been tried and tested for straighteners and curling tongs alike. Aluminium was used earlier on and metal was obviously used along the way too. Nowadays most manufacturers use ceramic and tourmaline - both of which give great results.

Now into the 21st century there are numerous ways to create the hair style of your dreams. The boom in straightening methods has bombarded salons with choice, from permanent techniques to chemical, Japanese or thermal methods.

But whichever route is chosen to achieve those luscious sleek locks, remember, Shirley Temple made a living out of her curls, so you don't have to be too straight-laced!