Charels Nessler
Chapter III – What Man Has Lost
Chapter III of The Story of Hair shifts the discussion toward one of Charles Nessler’s most provocative ideas:
that modern humans have lost both hair and instinct as a consequence of civilization.
Rather than viewing hair as a purely biological feature, Nessler interprets it as a visible indicator of deeper evolutionary and psychological change.
Hair Loss as a Result of Civilization
Nessler describes this shift clearly:
“Modern man’s life is pre-conditioned… the struggle for existence no longer requires his full instinct.”
Nessler argues that modern life follows a structured and “pre-conditioned” path.
From birth onward, individuals are shaped by:
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social rules
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cultural expectations
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organized living conditions
According to him, this structured life replaces the raw instincts that once governed human survival.
He suggests that early humans relied heavily on instinct and physical adaptation, while modern humans depend on systems, comfort, and social order.
This shift, in his view, leads to a weakening of natural drives—and with it, a reduction in hair.
The Decline of Primitive Instincts
Nessler links instinct directly to biological change:
“As civilization developed… his instincts diminished, and with them the energy that once drove his organism.”
A central idea in this chapter is that hair is directly linked to instinct.
Nessler claims:
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Strong instincts → more hair
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Weakened instincts → less hair
He associates physical changes—such as the rising forehead—with a reduction in so-called “primitive brain activity.”
In this framework, the human body reflects psychological evolution.
Hair is therefore not random, but a consequence of how intensely humans engage with survival, struggle, and instinctual life.
Statistical Comparison: Ancient vs Modern Humans
Nessler attempts to support his argument with comparative measurements.
Using estimated body surface and hair distribution, he argues that:
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Early humans were almost fully covered in hair
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Modern humans retain hair only in limited areas
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The relative amount of hair compared to body size has drastically declined
For example (based on his calculations):
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A primitive human body was nearly fully hair-covered
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A modern child is born with significantly less hair
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By adulthood, hair represents only a small fraction of total body surface
He presents this as a measurable and progressive loss over time.
Hair Production Across Life Stages
Nessler extends his argument by comparing hair production at different stages of life:
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embryonic development
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infancy
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childhood
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adulthood
He suggests that even before birth, humans produce less hair than their supposed prehistoric counterparts.
His conclusion:
modern humans are biologically “under-producing” hair compared to earlier stages of human evolution.
The Child as a Reflection of Human Development
One of the more unusual parts of the chapter is Nessler’s interpretation of childhood.
He describes infants as passing through stages that symbolically reflect earlier phases of human evolution.
According to him:
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early childhood behavior reflects primitive instincts
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development into adulthood represents adaptation to civilization
He even contrasts different types of children:
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a calm, socially adapted child
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a restless, instinct-driven child
These differences are, in his view, linked to deeper biological and psychological traits—including hair development.
Hair Loss as Evolutionary Trade-Off
He summarizes his idea of energy and hair production:
“The more food was turned into energy, the more hair was produced.”
Nessler ultimately frames hair loss not as a defect, but as a trade-off.
As humans gained:
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intelligence
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social organization
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cultural refinement
they lost:
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instinctive intensity
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physical adaptation
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body hair
Hair becomes, in this interpretation, a visible marker of human progress—but also of what has been sacrificed.
Conclusion of Chapter III
Chapter III reinforces one of Nessler’s core theories:
that human hair is inseparable from psychological and evolutionary development.
His main claims can be summarized as:
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Civilization reduces instinct
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Reduced instinct leads to less hair
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Hair loss is a measurable, long-term human trend
While his conclusions are speculative, they reflect an attempt to connect biology, psychology, and cultural evolution into a single framework.
Modern Scientific Perspective
Modern science does not support the idea that hair loss is caused by a decline in instinct or psychological intensity.
Instead, human hair distribution is understood as the result of evolutionary adaptation over millions of years.
Key factors include:
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Thermoregulation
Reduced body hair helps regulate body temperature, especially in active, endurance-based humans. -
Genetics
Hair density and growth patterns are largely inherited. -
Hormones
Androgens (especially DHT) influence hair growth and hair loss. -
Natural selection
Changes in body hair are linked to environmental adaptation, not psychological traits.
The comparison between “primitive” and “modern” humans, as presented by Nessler, is not scientifically accurate. Early humans were not fully covered in dense fur in the way he describes.
However, one important aspect of his thinking remains relevant:
hair still plays a strong role in identity, perception, and social meaning.
Modern research confirms that hair affects:
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attractiveness
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perceived age
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social status
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self-confidence
In this sense, while Nessler’s biological explanations are outdated, his broader insight—that hair reflects more than just physiology—remains valid.
OPTIONAL SECTION
→ The Permanent Wave – Invention, Method and Impact
Original Chapter (1928)
Below you find the original scanned version of Chapter III from The Story of Hair by Charles Nessler.