The most important thing to mention first is that the notion that blow drying and wearing hats can contribute to hair loss is a complete non-sense. Hair loss happens on a micro level and has nothing to do with hats, blow drying or any other mechanical turbulence you may be doing to your hair. This doesn't mean that you have to weaken your hair to a point where it breaks and falls, but simply that those habits can not have such major impact on hair.
Scientists claim that there simply aren't enough actual evidence to support the widely accepted notions mentioned before. However, they did come with an explanation of how male pattern baldness occurs: apparently, the hair follicle becomes so thin and small due to a hormone called culprit, (or dihydrotestosterone - DHT) that builds up around it and causes it to miniaturize and eventually stop growing hair for good. The hair starts becoming shorter and eventually falls out. Another myth that scientists managed to debunk is that male pattern baldness is inherited from the mother's side. It seems like this gene can be inherited from either parent, not just the mother. However, what is genetically determined is the follicle's resistance to DHT, and the levels of DHT in the scalp. So, if there are many known cases od baldness in the family, there's increased the chance of male pattern baldness in male children. Plus, males that have a higher level of endocrine hormones are more likely to experience male pattern baldness.
Can baldness look any different? Men lose their hair and eventually the scalp becomes easily visible. The first symptoms can come as early as in the 20's and will include: thinning hair, receding hairline, balding the crown area and forming the M shape pattern in the front area. The worst thing about this condition is that there's no cure that will actually work. Treatments like finasteride and minoxidil are used to slow down the process and make the consequences milder, but eventually the baldness scenario is going to happen. Solutions like hair transplants and wigs are available for those who find baldness a condition hard to cope with.