"Diana" handheld (pistol-grip) electric hair dryer – cream with orange accents
Entry/Object ID
2025.11.55
Description
Gun/pistol-shaped handheld hair dryer molded in glossy cream/ivory plastic, forming an inverted-L of cylindrical air-outlet barrel and pistol grip. A large round orange intake cap is set into the side of the motor housing, perforated with a grid of intake holes and carrying the embossed brand name at its center. The handle front mounts two round control buttons (one orange, one dark grey/black) between two exposed assembly screws, with a small molded hanging loop at the butt of the grip. A light cloth/plastic-jacketed cord exits the base and ends in a black US-style two-prong (flat-blade) plug.
Acquisition
Accession
2025.11
Acquisition Method
Purchase
Made/Created
Time Period
1980s
Notes
Maker: "Diana" (brand, per the embossed intake-cap mark). Manufacturer, country, and corporate identity not verified.
Date: Not confirmable from the object.
Place of Origin: Undetermined. The US-standard two-prong plug indicates manufacture for a non-European market (tentative), consistent with Cuba's domestic electrical system, but does not fix origin. Similar styles found online are made in Romania.
Inscription/Signature/Marks
Notes
Embossed "Diana" at the center of the orange intake cap (worn, faint). No other legible marks.
Materials
Material
Plastic, Metal
Material Notes
Materials: Molded plastic (cream body; orange intake cap and one button; dark plastic second button); internal metal heating element and motor (not inspected); fabric-or-plastic-jacketed cord; molded plug with metal blades.
Technique: Injection-molded two-part housing assembled with screws; molded/embossed cap branding; perforated intake grille.
