Good News In History, November 15
Good News In History, November 15 121 years ago today, King Gillette patented the disposable safety razor: an enormous improvement over the day’s shaving technology of straight, forged blades that needed to be honed every day with a leather strop. By contrast, Gillette utilized stamped razers from carbon steel sheets, while adapting existing safety features that prevented injury beyond the odd nick. The result, despite being disposable, was both expensive and hugely popular. READ a bit more about this American innovation… (1904) The patent design of the Gillette razor Gillette first got the idea for a disposable razor when a friend pointed out that disposable products guarantee future customer purchases. Gillette’s razor retailed for a substantial $5 (equivalent to $175.00 in 2024)—half the average working man’s weekly pay—yet sold by the millions. In his first year, he sold 51 razors and 168 blades; the second year, 90,884 razors and 123,648 blades, thanks in part to Gillette’s low price…
