Q: Who was the "king" of modern shaving, well known to
many a World War I soldier?
A: Make that King Camp Gillette (1855-1932), American
inventor and businessman who in 1901, along with William
Nickerson, introduced the disposable blade, some 25 years
after the first safety razor, says Jack Challoner in "1001
Inventions That Changed the World." Before the invention of
the safety razor, the dangers in shaving were evident in the
traditional terminology of the straight "cut-throat" razor,
with shaving done by barbers or trusted family members.
Defying those skeptics who believed it impossible, Gillette
fashioned an ultra-thin, carbon steel, double-edged blade
and eventually struck a deal to provide safety razors and
blades to every member of the U.S. Army during World War I.
Later innovations included the electric--or dry--shaver
by Jacob Schick (1928), the long-lasting stainless steel
blade by the British company Wilkenson Sword (1965), then
even safer replaceable blade cartridges (1971) and entirely
disposable razors (1971). Currently on the drawing board
are eco-friendly recyclable and biodegradable razors.
Send questions to StrangeTrue@compuserve.com.
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Caramel Corn with Nuts
