The Evolution of the Razor.

The Evolution of the Razor

From the straight edge to the Gillette

A new tool

-Humans have been obsessed with their looks for thousands of years and are always finding new ways to change their appearance. One way to do that was to alter the amount and shape of facial hair. How? With a razor of course!

-The first razor like objects date back to 18,000 BC.

How would I improve the razor?

-If I was to improve the razor I would produce it with holes in the handle in order to save plastic and lower production cost.

-I would also produce them with one or two blades not 4 to 5.

By Aaron Saltzstein

Works Cited

Information:

-http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/history1.html

-http://news.gillette.com/about/history

-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razor

Images:

-www.madehow.com

-shavenook.com

-http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/_wp_generated/wpce79b249_05_06.jpg

-http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/_wp_generated/wpaad15702_05_06.jpg

-http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.frugallawstudent.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/gilletesafetyrazorvig.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.frugallawstudent.com/2007/08/&h=190&w=330&tbnid=FYlqrTugaikvrM:&zoom=1&docid=uOngfgtaVmAErM&ei=co3KVO_jF43lsATMiYDYDw&tbm=isch&ved=0CHQQMyhJMEk

-https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextnature.net%2F2007%2F09%2Fevolution-in-the-bathroom%2F&ei=J93KVMGtKMi8ggT8voTQCQ&bvm=bv.84607526,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNErcdonc0Zvd0SMvjoxOKnAxjtY7Q&ust=1422667292898034

1900s

1500-1600s

2000s

1700s

1800s

Modern Day (2000s)

-Razors come in many different forms today from reproductions of straight and safety razors to 5 blades or more, but the most commonly used razor consists of a straight handle and head (much like a safety razor) with replaceable blade heads.

-Modern razors are made of plastic, sometimes with rubber grips.

-Modern blades are made of stainless steel.

1900s

-1901 King C. Gillette invents the first safety razor and changes shaving forever.

-Gillette was granted a patent on his design on November 15th 1904.

-Safety razors allowed for interchangeable blades that meant one could just change the blade when it got dull, not have to get it sharpened by a specialist.

-The shorter, more stable blade also allowed for more efficient shaving with less nicks and cuts.

1500-1600s

1700s

1800s

-Razors of this era more closely resemble hatchets than razors.

-They were made by local blacksmiths and had no identifying markings or brands.

-Razors of this era developed a "monkey tail" at the end of the blade.

-Razors of the 1800s also developed a slightly curved shape and more decorative handles.

-Logos and decorative insignias also developed.

-Men often went to barbers to get their faces shaved and mustaches trimmed.

-Robert Huntsmann of Sheffield invents cast steel.

-Razors from this era more closely resemble straight razors with a distinct handle and folding blade.

-1700s razors still had little markings but were sometimes marked with the metal they were made of. Ex. Cast steel.

-Handles were often made of wood, bone and horn.

-The pins on each end of the razor were typically iron.