Not every girl in the late 1970s wanted to be Farrah Fawcett. Some found a more wholesome model in star figure skater Dorothy Hamill, whose gold medal at the 1976 Winter Olympics rocketed her into the stratosphere of popular culture. And Dorothy Hamill just wouldn’t have been Dorothy Hamill without that signature wedge hairstyle.

America’s new sweetheart sometimes even seemed to be overshadowed by her famous cut. It was perfect for skating, of course, falling right back into place after spins and jumps, and it worked just as well for the cheerleaders and jump-ropers of the schoolyard set. The wedge looked nifty and sassy; it gave girls with naturally straight hair a happening style to crop it into. It was also a lot easier to care for than a Farrah wingback ‘do. That was a godsend for more active gals who wanted to look stylish but didn’t have the time or patience to spend an hour every morning with the blowdryer and brush.

Boys had been getting “bowl cuts” for centuries, of course, but for girls the wedge was a bold new statement. Cute, perky, and tomboyish, a Dorothy Hamill wedge sent you out into the world free and easy. And your brother appreciated it too, since you didn’t have to hog the bathroom so much.

You could say it got the annoying little brat out of your hair.