Are Wigs made of Human Hair?

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Are Wigs Made of Human Hair?"
Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids
Release Date: April 30, 2025

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Introduction to Colonial Wig Culture

In the episode titled "Are Wigs Made of Human Hair?" the hosts Trusty and Winthrop embark on an engaging journey into the history of wigs, particularly focusing on their prevalence in colonial America and Europe. Set against the backdrop of an 18th-century colonial village, the conversation delves into the reasons behind the widespread use of wigs among men during that era.

Notable Quotes:

• Trusty (00:17): "Hey, smarty pants. In case you couldn't tell, I'm in a colonial village observing how people lived back in the 18th century..."
• Winthrop (01:22): "The name's Winthrop the wigmaker. And wig making is big business in these parts and in these times."

Historical Origins and Social Significance of Wigs

Winthrop explains that the tradition of wearing wigs dates back to ancient Egypt, where both men and women donned wigs to protect their shaved heads from the sun. The practice evolved over centuries, becoming a symbol of status and fashion among the European elite.

Key Points:

• Ancient Egypt: Wigs were used for sun protection and style, with lower classes using materials like wool and leaf fibers, while the upper classes preferred human hair wigs.
• Middle Ages Europe: Wigs gained popularity among commoners as a means of hygiene amid widespread lice and disease, aside from being a status symbol.

Notable Quotes:

• Winthrop (04:18): "You want to know why people wear wigs? Well, it all started in ancient Egypt... wigs were all about style."
• Trusty (07:27): "So what you're saying is lice aren't interested in wigs?"

Wig Making: Craftsmanship and Materials

The episode provides an insightful look into the craftsmanship behind wig making. Winthrop details the meticulous process of creating wigs, emphasizing the use of human hair versus animal hair based on social class and affordability.

Key Points:

• Materials: Human hair wigs were preferred by the wealthy, while animal hair (horse or goat) was used by the less affluent.
• Process: Wigs were constructed by sewing hair onto a wig cap made of linen or silk, followed by using a hackle to smooth and combine the strands.
• Craftsmanship: The creation of a wig could take several days, highlighting the skill and labor involved.

Notable Quotes:

• Winthrop (10:19): "Most wigs throughout history were made from human hair, but not all of them. Some were made from animal hair, such as horse hair or goat hair."
• Trusty (11:38): "That sure seems like a lot of work."

The Rise and Decline of Powdered Wigs

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the popularity of powdered wigs in 17th and 18th-century Europe, particularly their association with royalty and high society. The episode traces the decline of wig-wearing due to changing fashions, hygiene concerns, and economic factors like the hair powder tax.

Key Points:

• Louis XIV's Influence: The French king's adoption of elaborate wigs sparked a widespread "wig mania" across Europe.
• Hygiene and Practicality: Powdered wigs were cumbersome, leading to a shift towards natural hair or simpler wig styles.
• Economic Factors: The introduction of the hair powder tax in Great Britain accelerated the decline of wig-wearing as it became economically burdensome.

Notable Quotes:

• Winthrop (08:17): "The answer is B, Louis XIV of France... wig mania swept Europe for the next 140 years."
• Trusty (15:05): "Smarty pants. Any idea what wig powder is made of? Yeah, me neither."

Wigs in American History and Modern Times

The hosts explore the presence of wigs among America's founding fathers, clarifying misconceptions about figures like George Washington. They explain that while some presidents did wear wigs, others, like Washington, powdered their own hair.

Key Points:

• Presidential Wigs: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe wore white powdered wigs, whereas George Washington did not wear a wig but powdered his natural red hair.
• Modern Usage: Wigs today are mass-produced and commonly used in entertainment, fashion, and for cultural or religious reasons. Additionally, certain professions, such as British lawyers and judges, still wear wigs as part of their official attire.

Notable Quotes:

• George Washington (16:28): "I am George Washington, and I cannot tell a lie. I did not wear a wig."
• Trusty (16:07): "What is George Washington's hair color? Was he a redhead?"

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Wigs

The episode concludes by acknowledging that while the flamboyant wig trends of the past have faded, wigs remain a staple in various facets of modern life. From the legal system in the British Commonwealth to contemporary fashion and entertainment, wigs continue to hold cultural significance.

Notable Quotes:

• Winthrop (17:06): "George Washington was a redhead. And a proud one at that."
• Winthrop (18:12): "Wigs aren't going bye-bye anytime soon."

Final Thoughts and Educational Takeaways

"Are Wigs Made of Human Hair?" successfully blends humor with historical education, making complex topics accessible and entertaining for young listeners. By using playful dialogues and engaging characters, the podcast encourages curiosity and fosters a deeper understanding of historical fashion and social customs.

Key Educational Takeaways:

• The evolution of wig-wearing reflects broader social, economic, and cultural changes.
• Wigs served practical purposes beyond fashion, including hygiene and status display.
• Understanding historical trends, such as wig usage, provides insight into the values and lifestyles of past societies.

Notable Quotes:

• Trusty (09:05): "So if that's the case, what color was George Washington's hair? Smarty pants? What do you think?"
• Trusty (17:49): "The hair powder tax of 1795 didn't help."

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This episode of "Who Smarted?" effectively educates its young audience about the intricate history of wigs, combining factual information with entertaining storytelling. Listeners are left with a comprehensive understanding of why wigs were significant in historical contexts and how their usage has evolved over time.

Transcript

[Trusty]

And now it's time for who's Smarted? Wow. This place is so cool. Yikes. Maybe it's not all cool.

[Winthrop]

Psst.

[Trusty]

Hey, smarty pants. In case you couldn't tell, I'm in a colonial village observing how people lived back in the 18th century, which is the year 1700. Besides that scary dentist, this place is awesome. There's an old courthouse, a bakery, and horses, and white powder everywhere, which is making me cough. What is that stuff? Flour.

[Winthrop]

Flour? Oh, good one. Why, it's only the finest wig powder on the market. Best not to stand too close. Or breathe it in.

[Trusty]

Or maybe you can just stop with the powdering for a minute.

[Winthrop]

Certainly not. I've got a huge wig order to fill.

[Trusty]

Huge wig order? As in lots and lots of wigs? Or just like, one giant wig?

[Winthrop]

May I ask, who are you besides a man asking silly questions?

[Trusty]

I am the trusty narrator from who's Smarted and who are you?

[Winthrop]

The name's Winthrop the wigmaker. And wig making is big business in these parts and in these times.

[Trusty]

Really?

[Winthrop]

Don't believe me? Look around. How many men do you see wearing white powdered wigs?

[Trusty]

Uh, 2, 3, 4, 12. Oh, yeah, there's a lot of wigs. Come to think of it, they kind of look like America's founding fathers.

[Winthrop]

But of course, they were wig wearers too.

[Trusty]

Okay, but why? Why is everyone in colonial times wearing a wig? Well, not everyone. Just the men. Why are all the men wearing wigs but not the ladies? And when did women start buying and wearing wigs? And what are these wigs even made of?

[Winthrop]

Hey, no touching.

[Trusty]

And what's with all the powder, smarty pants? Looks like we'll be wiggin out as we take another big whiff of science and history.

[George Washington]

Who smarted? Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun on who's smartand.

[Trusty]

Hey, smartypants Trusty here with a special mission for all the smarty pants listening. But unlike a top secret mission, this mission requires you to tell everyone. That's right. Your job is to spread the word about who smarted so we can keep growing and bringing you awesome new episodes. To qualify for this mission, let's play a little game. Who do you know that would love who smarted but doesn't listen to the show? Is it A, a friend, B, a teacher, C, a relative, like your favorite cousin? Or D, a neighbor who loves fun facts? Got someone in mind? Great. Question 2. Where and when will you tell this person about who's smarted? Is it A, on a play date, B, at school, C, in the car, or D, on the phone? Pick one, make a plan, stick to it, and best of all, complete this not so top secret mission. I'm counting on you, smarty pants. The more people you tell, the bigger we grow, which means a lot more smarting for you.

[Winthrop]

Okay, Trusty, hold this hackle while I run this hair through it.

[Trusty]

Oh, now I can touch the wig.

[Winthrop]

Quickly, please.

[Trusty]

Okay, okay. I'm hackling, I'm hackling.

[Winthrop]

There, the curls are all set. This one will fetch a pretty penny.

[Trusty]

I still can't get over how many wigs there are or how powdery they are. But why?

[Winthrop]

You want to know why people wear wigs? Well, it all started in ancient Egypt, as these things often do. Back then, both men and women wore wigs. In fact, they would shave their heads. No, not with an electric razor.

[George Washington]

Whoops, sorry. Wrong sound effect.

[Winthrop]

That's better. They'd shave their heads and then wear wigs to protect their freshly shaven scalps from the sun.

[Trusty]

Uh, hold on. Let me get this straight, Winthrop. Ancient Egyptians got rid of their own hair just to put someone else's hair on their bald heads?

[Winthrop]

Correct.

[Trusty]

Why?

[Winthrop]

I know it seems a bit silly. Styling your own hair back then wasn't as easy as it is today. And everyone wanted to look good. Wigs were all about style. You see, lower class people wore wigs made of wool and leaf fibers. And upper class people wore wigs made from real human hair.

[Trusty]

Interesting, smarty pants. True or false? Many wigs today are still made using human hair. If you said true, you're right. Not only is it still common, but wigs made from human hair are actually much more expensive than any other kind.

[Winthrop]

Indeed, throughout history, people all over the world wore wigs for fashion and status. And wigs were often afforded only to the upper classes and nobility. Not just in ancient Egypt, but in China, Japan, and Korea, too.

[Trusty]

I see. So if they were so fancy and exclusive, how and why did regular folks start wearing them? I mean, no offense, but I can't picture the average person waking up one day and saying, you know what? I think I'm gonna shave my head today and wear a wig because I love wigs.

[George Washington]

Ahem.

[Winthrop]

Well, it just so happens I know a lot of people who love wigs.

[Trusty]

I bet.

[Winthrop]

As it were. To answer your question, the reason the average person began wearing wigs is, yet again, status.

[Trusty]

Of course.

[Winthrop]

But also hygiene.

[Trusty]

Hygiene, indeed.

[Winthrop]

The first time wigs began being worn by the masses was long after the creme de la creme of the ancient world wore them. It was in Europe and in the Middle Ages. On one hand, wigs were popularized by kings and queens, but naturally, the commoners wanted to be just like them.

[Trusty]

Naturally.

[Winthrop]

But on the other hand, the Middle Ages were a dark and rather disgusting time. In Europe, most people didn't bathe regularly. Lice was common, and so was disease. And the symptom of some of these diseases was patchy hair loss. One way to elevate the stress and lice of it all was to shave your head and wear a wig. No, there was no electricity then either.

[George Washington]

Oh, my bad.

[Trusty]

So what you're saying is lice aren't interested in wigs?

[Winthrop]

Good question. While lice could get into a wig, since it's removable, it's much easier to delouse a wig than your own head of hair.

[Trusty]

Gotcha. Makes sense.

[Winthrop]

But besides hygiene and status, there was another factor too.

[Trusty]

Smartypants, Any idea what this third factor could be? Yeah, me neither.

[Winthrop]

Popularity. That's right. And one guy pretty much started it all.

[Trusty]

Wait, was it you, Winthrop?

[Winthrop]

I wish it was, actually.

[Trusty]

Wait, let's see if the smarty pants can guess. Was the person who made Wigworm popular for the masses? A, Henry viii, B, Louis xiii, or C, Chief Wiggum?

[Winthrop]

The answer is B, Louis XII of France. You see, around 1624, Louis started losing his hair rather prematurely. He was only 23 years old, so he started wearing big, elaborate wigs in his royal court. Then his son, Louis xiv, popularized wig wearing even more.

[Trusty]

Ah, that makes sense. Smarty pants. Do you know what Louis XIV's nickname for himself was? Was it the Lion King, the Sun King, or the Brave King? If you said the Sun King, you're correct. He called himself that because he viewed himself as the center of the universe. Oh, and his wig, too, I guess.

[Winthrop]

Ha ha. Indeed. Anyway, once Louis XIV started wearing wigs, everyone wanted to do it. Wig mania swept Europe for the next 140 years.

[Trusty]

But it was still just men who wore wigs, right?

[Winthrop]

Right. European women didn't start wearing wigs for a long time. It wasn't until the 18th century. And even then, they weren't really big curly wigs like the men were wearing. Instead, women would create elaborate hairstyles with their real hair and attach artificial hair pieces to them to make them look even more elaborate.

[Trusty]

Ooh, like hair extensions. My Aunt Rita puts hers in before she hits the Olive Garden.

[Winthrop]

You're losing me.

[Trusty]

Never mind. So let's recap. Throughout history, wigs were worn for fashion status. And during the Middle Ages, people wore them for hygiene too. But once kings started wearing big fancy curly wigs, then all the men started wearing big fancy curly wigs too. But the ladies, not so much.

[Winthrop]

Perfect. Now, would you like to buy a wig?

[Trusty]

No, what I want is to know what those fancy, curly big boy wigs were made from.

[Winthrop]

Ah, now we're getting to my area of expertise, wig making. In 17th century France, wig making became such a serious business that a wigmaker's guild was created in 1665, legitimizing the craft. It was later copied in many other places.

[Trusty]

Okay, but what are they made of?

[Winthrop]

I'm getting to that. Most wigs throughout history were made from human hair, but not all of them. Some were made from animal hair, such as horse hair or goat hair.

[Trusty]

And let me guess. The rich upper class people had the human hair wigs and the less wealthy lower classes had to make do with the animal hair.

[Winthrop]

Exactly. But what can I do? Human hair isn't cheap. I'm just going to ignore that sound.

[Trusty]

Never mind that. How were the wigs made?

[Winthrop]

Whether it was human or animal hair, the many strands of hair would have to be sewn onto a base first. And that base was known as a wig cap. Wig caps were usually made from linen or silk and form the foundation of a wig. Next comes the hackle.

[Trusty]

Is that the thing that looks like a big, heavy hairbrush, only the bristles are, oh, really sharp? Ouch.

[Winthrop]

Yes, a hackle is used to gather up all the hairs, smooth them out, and combine them. You can even mix different colors together in a hackle. You run the many strands of hair through the sharp bristles over and over and over again until it all comes out smooth and combined. Then you thread it onto the wig cap.

[Trusty]

That sure seems like a lot of work.

[Winthrop]

It is. It can take days to make a wig.

[Trusty]

And what about the big, white, powdery ones? How do they get made? And why did the founding Fathers wear them? Wasn't the idea to not resemble the British and other Europeans?

[Winthrop]

I can tell you about that, trustee.

[Trusty]

And you shall, right after this short break. And a word from our sponsors. Hey, everyone. Trusty here. One of the things I love about hosting Whosmarted is getting to answer all those amazing questions from curious smartypants. And that's why I'm excited to tell you about another show that does exactly that. Our Friends podcast. But why a podcast for curious kids? Have you ever asked something like, why does the wind blow or does skyscrapers actually scrape the sky? And you weren't quite sure of the answer? Well, but why? Has you covered They've answered questions from over 16,000 kids across 90 countries, and they're not afraid to tackle any topic, even the gross ones that make grownups squirm. I mean, they have whole episodes about poop and making paint from spit and rocks. How cool is that? Their team gets real experts to answer real questions from real kids like you. So if your family loves learning interesting stuff on WhoSmarted, you'll definitely want to check out but why? You can find but why, wherever you get your podcasts, have you ever asked.

[Mitch]

Questions like I wonder who invented toilets? Or why do dogs wag their tails? Then have I got the thing for you. The Brains on Universe A family of podcasts for kids and their adults My name is Joy Dolo, and I host a funny and fabulous history show called Forever Ago. We explore the history of everything from bubblegum to how we sent messages before cell phones.

[Winthrop]

I live in New Zealand, and the Mori people there use smoke signals to send messages.

[Mitch]

There's also Brains on a science show where we answer kids questions like do plants sleep? And why do some people have asthma? And on the debate game show smashboom Best you get to judge which is cooler, chocolate versus Cheese or Spider man versus Batman?

[Winthrop]

What is Batman's personality?

[Trusty]

He's a rich guy.

[Mitch]

Find Forever Ago brains on and smashboom best wherever you get your podcasts or head to brainson.org to learn more.

[Trusty]

Now back to who's smarted? Okay, what is the deal with these big poofy wigs? And what is with all the powder?

[Winthrop]

Well, the really big white powdered wigs of the 18th century were first popularized in Europe. What gave them their bright white color? Why, wig powder, of course.

[Trusty]

Smarty pants. Any idea what wig powder is made of? Yeah, me neither.

[Winthrop]

Wig powder was usually made from finely ground starch and scented with things like lavender or orange blossom. However, people in Europe eventually got so sick and tired of having to deal with clumps of powder all over the place.

[Trusty]

Aha. So it's not just me.

[Winthrop]

Nope. When people started complaining, they stopped making human hair wigs that needed powdering in favor of naturally white horsehair.

[Trusty]

I see. So was that it for powdered wigs?

[Winthrop]

Not exactly. Funnily enough, by the time wigs made their way to the usa, they'd gotten shorter and less elaborate. Eventually, some men didn't wear wigs at all, but just powdered their own hair white.

[Trusty]

Oh, wow. But Wait, didn't the founding fathers all wear wigs? What do you think, smarties?

[Winthrop]

The answer is some did. Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe all wore white powdered wigs?

[Trusty]

Gotcha. So the second, third, fourth and fifth presidents all wore wigs. But wait, what about the first president? Smarty pants. You know who I'm talking about, right?

[George Washington]

I am George Washington, and I cannot tell a lie. I did not wear a wig.

[Trusty]

But I don't understand Washington's hair. It's so white and big and wig.

[Winthrop]

Like, I know most people see George Washington in paintings and assume he wore a wig, but he didn't. He powdered his own hair white.

[Mitch]

Whoa.

[Trusty]

So if that's the case, what color was George Washington's hair? Smarty pants? What do you think? Was his hair brown, blonde, or was he a redhead?

[Winthrop]

The answer is George Washington was a redhead.

[George Washington]

I cannot tell a lie. I am a redhead. And a proud one at that.

[Trusty]

So let me get this straight. In colonial America, some guys wore wigs and some guys didn't, which mean wigs were optional?

[Winthrop]

Um, not quite. Here, as in Europe, wigs had a lot to do with rank and class and wealth. But eventually, attitudes changed. After the French Revolution, regular people no longer wanted to emulate the styles of kings and queens. And wig wearing grew less popular. And the hair powder tax of 1795 didn't help.

[Trusty]

The what now?

[Winthrop]

In Great Britain, there was a tax on hair powder. It sped up the decline of not only powdering one's own hair, but wearing wigs at all. And all of this trickled over to our shores, where now daily wig wearing for men or women is largely a thing of the past.

[Trusty]

Very interesting, Winthrop. But we do still see wigs today.

[Winthrop]

Why, yes. In the 20th century, wigs became mass produced and machine made. They became associated with entertainment and pop stars and, of course, Halloween. And in many countries of the British Commonwealth, lawyers and judges must still wear white wigs to court. Other people wear wigs for religious reasons. So don't you worry. Trusty wigs aren't going bye bye anytime soon. But I am. It's time for my lunch break, kid.

[Mitch]

Phew.

[Winthrop]

It sure is hot under this rug.

[Trusty]

Wait, Winthrop. What happened to you and your hair guy?

[Winthrop]

I'm just playing a character. My real name's Mitch. I'm from Queens.

[Trusty]

What?

[Winthrop]

Did you forget you're in a colonial reenactment village?

[Trusty]

I guess I did.

[Winthrop]

You mind holding my wig while I go take a powder?

[Trusty]

Don't say powder. A big shout out to savvy and the Whaley family in Orange County, California. Thank you so much for being such amazing Smarty fans and who Smiles plus Subscribers we love that you smart with us as part of your bedtime routine and that you learn something new every single night. We're so glad your family is part of our smarty family. This episode Wigs was written by Phil Jeremy and voiced by Mike Privetti, Max Kamasky, Eleanor Pernas, Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hahn. Our Associate producer is Max Wigpowder Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.