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History of Razors Timeline

(3000 BCE–Present)

The history of razors traces the evolution of shaving tools from prehistoric sharp stones and shells to bronze blades, steel straight razors, safety razors, and modern electric and disposable designs. Less

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Straight razors

Barbershops provide shaving services

1700 - 1899

Wealthy people in the 18th and 19th centuries could also visit barbershops to receive a shave.

Image source: Barber

Barbershops provide shaving services

Straight razors become common before the 20th century

1700 - 1899

Straight razors with exposed steel blades, commonly called cut-throats, became the most commonly used razors before the 20th century.

Cut-throat razors dominate shaving

1700 - 1899

Open steel-blade straight razors, also known as cut-throats, were the dominant form of razor use before the 20th century.

Image source: Straight razor

Cut-throat razors dominate shaving

Sheffield becomes a cutlery center

1700 - 1899

During the 18th and 19th centuries, England was regarded as the center of the cutlery industry, with Sheffield playing a major role.

Image source: Sheffield

Sheffield becomes a cutlery center

Modern straight razor developed in Sheffield

1700 - 1899

The first modern straight razor, featuring decorated handles and a hollow-ground blade, was constructed in Sheffield, England.

Decorated handles appear on straight razors

1700 - 1899

Early modern straight razors produced in Sheffield included decorated handles as part of their construction.

Hollow-ground blades appear on straight razors

1700 - 1899

The first modern straight razors included hollow-ground blades, an important refinement in blade construction.

Servants shave wealthy households

1700 - 1899

In the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy people often relied on servants to shave them.

Image source: Shaving

Servants shave wealthy households

Daily shaving remains uncommon

1800 - 1899

Daily shaving was not a widespread practice during the 19th century.

Some people never shave

1800 - 1899

During the 19th century, some people did not shave at all.

Straight razors remain common into the 20th century

1900 - 1959

Straight razors were the most common form of shaving before the 20th century and remained common in many countries until the 1950s.

Early razors

Benjamin Huntsman develops hard steel for blades

1740

In 1740, Benjamin Huntsman produced the first superior hard steel grade through a special crucible process. The material was suitable for blade production, although it was initially rejected in England.

Image source: Benjamin Huntsman

Benjamin Huntsman develops hard steel for blades

Crucible steel is initially rejected in England

1740

Although Benjamin Huntsman's new crucible steel was suitable for razor blades, it was initially rejected in England.

Image source: Crucible steel

Crucible steel is initially rejected in England

Safety and cartridge razors

Jean-Jacques Perret develops an early safety razor

1762

The first safety razor was most likely invented around 1762 by the French cutler Jean-Jacques Perret.

Perret's safety-razor design appears

1762

Jean-Jacques Perret is credited with creating an early safety-razor design, an important step toward protecting the user from the exposed edge of a straight razor.

Image source: Levallois-Perret

Perret's safety-razor design appears

Comb-tooth guard described for a safety razor

1847

Henson's patent application described a comb-tooth guard intended to protect the user from the razor blade.

Image source: William Samuel Henson

Comb-tooth guard described for a safety razor

William Samuel Henson patents a comb guard

1847

William Samuel Henson's 1847 patent application included an early description of a safety razor similar in form to modern designs.

Removable-blade safety razor defined

1880

In 1880, safety razor described a basic razor with a handle attached to a head that accepted a removable blade.

The term safety razor is first used

1880

The term safety razor was first used in 1880.

Image source: Safety razor

The term safety razor is first used

Gender-specific razor designs become clear

1900 - 1999

By the 20th century, clear gender-specific structural distinctions had emerged among razor offerings, although the point at which razors became prevalent among both men and women remains uncertain.

Image source: Razor

Gender-specific razor designs become clear

King Camp Gillette submits a disposable-blade patent

1901

In 1901, American inventor King Camp Gillette, assisted by William Nickerson, submitted a patent for a new safety razor using disposable blades.

Image source: King C. Gillette

King Camp Gillette submits a disposable-blade patent

William Nickerson assists Gillette

1901

William Nickerson assisted King Camp Gillette in developing and submitting the patent for a safety razor with disposable blades.

Disposable-blade safety razor is patented

1904

The disposable-blade safety-razor design submitted by King Camp Gillette and William Nickerson was patented in 1904.

Image source: Gillette

Disposable-blade safety razor is patented

Stainless steel reusable blades become available

1960

In 1960, stainless steel blades that could be used more than once became available, reducing the cost of shaving with a safety razor.

Cartridge razors are developed

1960 - 1969

Cartridge razors were developed during the 1960s, using a razor-and-blades business model pioneered in the early 20th century.

Image source: Safety razor

Cartridge razors are developed

Cartridge razors become common in developed countries

1960 - 1969

Cartridge razors eventually became the most common form of shaving in developed countries.

US razor-blade sales decline

2023

In 2023, retailers in the United States sold 20 percent fewer razor blades than they had sold in 2019.

Electric razors

First electric razor invented

1898

John F. O'Rourke invented the first electric razor in 1898.

Image source: Electric shaver

First electric razor invented

Jacob Schick patents an electric razor design

1928

Jacob Schick obtained the patent that later served as the basis for Remington Rand's industrial production of electric razor machines.

Image source: Jacob Schick

Jacob Schick patents an electric razor design

Remington Rand begins electric-razor production

1937

Industrial production of electric razor machines began in 1937 through the US company Remington Rand.

Remington Rand builds on Jacob Schick's patent

1937

Remington Rand's industrial production of electric razors was based on a patent obtained by Jacob Schick in 1928.

Philips begins producing electric razors

1939

The Dutch company Philips has produced electric razor machines since 1939.

Image source: Philips

Philips begins producing electric razors

Paul Winchell invents an electric shaving device

1963

An electric shaving device was invented in 1963 by American entertainer and inventor Paul Winchell.

Image source: Paul Winchell

Paul Winchell invents an electric shaving device

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Key Facts

  1. Prehistoric people used sharp flint, obsidian, shells, and other stones to remove facial and body hair.
  2. Ancient Egyptians developed copper and bronze razors, and shaving was associated with cleanliness, status, and religious practices.
  3. Straight razors with long, sharpened steel blades became widely used in Europe from the late 17th century onward.
  4. King Camp Gillette popularized the disposable-blade safety razor after submitting his design in 1901; it was patented in 1904.
  5. Electric razors emerged in the early 20th century and, along with cartridge and disposable razors, transformed everyday shaving.

Source

This History of Razors timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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