Abstract: A rapidly heating curling iron with a handle, a hollow barrel secured to the handle, and a heating element positioned within the barrel, the heating element being an electrical insulating board wound with electrical wire. A pair of heat transmission members are positioned with one on each side of the heating element, but with electrical insulation between the heating element and the heat transmission members. The heat transmission member are shaped and dimensioned such that they fit between the electrical insulation and the inner surface of the barrel and press against a substantial portion of the inner surface, a temperature sensor positioned to sense the temperature of the barrel, and a control circuit allows the heating element to be energized only during one half cycle of supplied AC power, and adjusts the portion of the half cycle which is used in accordance with the sensed temperature.