The Dawn of Color: The Story of Clairol Clairol Inc., a name synonymous with accessible beauty and revolutionary hair color, isn’t simply a company; it's a testament to entrepreneurial spirit, innovative chemistry, and the profound impact of a single, transformative product. Born from the meticulous observations of chemist Lawrence M. Gelb in 1931 during a European sojourn, Clairol emerged not from a grand laboratory but from a simple desire to bring professional-quality hair coloring into the homes of everyday women. The initial spark ignited while traveling through Europe, where Gelb encou…