Later that afternoon, we visited the East Main Street headquarters and laboratory of Martha Matilda Harper, a Canadian-American entrepreneur and innovator. Harper invented, among other things, the reclining shampoo chair, an essential piece of equipment in salons across the world. She also developed the “Harper Method” of hair care, and is credited with the creation of modern retail franchising. At the peak of her success, there were 500 woman-owned “Harper Salons,” where franchisees were trained in her method. Harper biographer Jane Plitt, who has written several books about the pioneering businesswoman, spoke at the ceremony.