three old "African-American hair" straightening irons

Depending on how "integrated" this particular Forum really is, there's a chance some of y'all will immediately recognize what these things are. I might (or not?) be an exception to that, since (as an old white dude) I accidentally also happened to know -- even though such items were never a part of my own 'haircare routine' nor will they ever be. ;-) :-) For this showing I made certain to confirm the following info with someone who *absolutely* knows -- in fact, might have been subject to any or all of these exact ones many years ago. <eeek!>

These are three different examples of the same basic thing -- a rather heavy brass "comb" on a heat-proof handle. The one with the spiral wire handle is most likely the oldest, but either of the other two could easily also be 50+ yrs old.

When these were used, first a layer of "grease" (likely of 'indeterminate origin'?) was applied to the victim's head/hair. Then the person doing the 'straightening' (Gramma, Momma, big Sis, or whoever knew how to do it?) would heat the 'comb' end of it on a stove burner or somesuch to the point where the iron could not be allowed to touch the actual skin/scalp, (or it would cause actual burns) then give it a quick brush ('sizzle' was the exact word used) on both sides on a cool damp towel/cloth which would be placed nearby. Then the 'straighten-er' would go to slowly (I guess?) combing thru the hair, pausing when necessary to re-heat the iron, and between the heat and the grease, eventually the kinkiest of African-American hair could eventually be 'straightened'.

It does not sound like it would have been a pleasant process...especially considering that the entire treatment was rather an 'extended procedure', often taking at least a couple of hours (more?) to complete...?? <eeek><nono>

Anyway, as shown these three are all roughly 9-10" long. Note how the longest wood handled one (maybe also the newest?) has its own burn mark just under its head, where it must have got a wee bit too close to the flame at some point. The 'bizness end' of all three is indeed made of rather heavy brass (maybe once plated, only lightly cleaned for the pics here) and are all fashioned in nearly the same way/shape, the comb on the wire-handled one has a slightly curved profile though the other two do not.

Lawwdy...now the dilemma...*what category to show these in...???* <giggle>