Carl W. Renstrom

Carl Willard Renstrom (September 27, 1902 – November 13, 1981) was an American multi-millionaire businessman who made his fortune selling hair curlers and other hair accessories through his company, Tip-Top Products.

Early life Renstrom was born in Omaha, Nebraska on September 27, 1902. His parents were Swedish immigrant Nils August Renstrom and his Iowa-born wife, Vera Pearl Bartlett. Renstrom's father was a general laborer who had a knack for mechanics. He filed several patents, including one for an electro-magnetic blanket in 1896. The solder was an immediate success and gave Renstrom financial security. Within a year he had purchased a building, and hired production and sales staffs.

Similar curlers were selling in the U.S. for about 5 cents each. Renstrom improved the curler's design and obtained his first patent for a simple metal hair curler on July 14, 1936. He christened the curler the Tip Top Easy Curler – four aluminum curlers on a card priced at 10 cents a card. The consumer response to the curler was overwhelming. Renstrom christened the property Villa Vera, after his oldest daughter. Lana Turner lived at Villa Vera for three years, As the popularity of the area grew, Renstrom continued to expand the property, which today is called the Villa Vera Hotel & Racquet Club.

Carl W. Renstrom died November 13, 1981, in Omaha, Nebraska, and was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery there. Renstrom's mansion and 8 acres remained a private home,

Two of Renstrom's grandsons, by his elder daughter Vera Pearl Renstrom, are Cris and Curt Kirkwood, founding members of the alternative punk rock band Meat Puppets.