Hercules Sägemann Advertisement

Oversized comb for advertising purposes, Hercules Sägemann (New York Hamburger-Gummi Waaren Compagnie), Hamburg, Germany, early 20th century, Ebonite (natural rubber).
Courtesy of the Museum der Arbeit, Hamburg

The traditional Hamburg company “Hercules Sägemann” emerged from a subsidiary of H.C. Meyer (“Stockmeyer“). The foundation owed itself to chance. Experiments with hard rubber, a new material at the time, proved its particular suitability for combs. And so the Meyers founded their own comb factory. Even today, Hercules Sägemann still manufactures combs made of natural rubber, which have no cast seams and are particularly elastic. They are very popular with the African hair community, as evidenced by numerous YouTube tutorials.