The Gillette Razor

King Camp Gillette

In this article I learned that men had tried so many ways to shave. They had started using seashells, sharpened rocks, and Metal. Later in the 18th century, the straight Razor was created. It allowed for a close shave and was so durable that it could last for years. However, the razor was dangerous. It was also expensive and hard to keep sharp. In 1880 Otto and Fredrick Kampfe invented the safety razor, which left only part of the Razor exposed. In 1890, King Camp Gillette looked for an idea that would make him rich. He wanted to make a razor blade that was so inexpensive and thin that it could be throw out. In 1901, Gillette, William Nickerson and others had found the American Safety Razor Company. William Nickerson was the man that designed the blades that Gillette wanted. In 1901 Gillette had only sold 51 razors, but as time went on that increased. Gillette sold his razors at a low price because he new that the company would make a profit from the replacement blades that they sold. Gillette blades also got to see some war action. During the first World War Gillette was the main supplier of razors for the Army, he supplied the razors for a Low Rate which made it easier for the Army. In the February 19th edition of The Daily Shave in 1922 Gillette talks about his invention. He said, " I was so poor that I didn't have enough money to take out the patents. It was 1904 before I could put the razor on the market The First razor I made was the same principle as the razor sold today." He went on to say how much women effected the market and how 100,000 razors were sold to women in 1921. Gillette invention was game changing and his company still exists to this day.                    
           Gillette's razors were revolutionary for the time. His razor was based of the regular design of the straight razor but only with replaceable blades. During this time men were consistently cutting themselves with the traditional straight razors. The original blade was made out of carbon steel. Although they were able to cut through whiskers easily they also corroded easily. During the progressive era, people wanted better hygiene. So the idea of a blade the would corrode easily was not popular. Millions of men decided to switch to the stainless steel, which didn't corrode easily, but they still cut skin easy as well. I learned that Gillette came out with the 2 blade shave which provided a clean and safe shave.