Overview
This episode traces the age‑old practice of shaving—from prehistoric tools to modern razors—examining how culture, technology, and even gender influenced how we shave. Along the way, we explore evolving tools, the rise of barbers, and how societal beauty ideals shaped personal grooming.
Key Topics & Source Highlights
1. Ancient Roots of Shaving
• Prehistoric humans used clam shells, flint, and even pumice stones or flames to remove hair. These tools date back tens of thousands of years.
• In Ancient Egypt, shaving was both hygienic and aesthetic—bronze, copper, and even gold razors were used, and grooming practices extended to both men and women.
• In Ancient Rome and Greece, puberty rites often included shaving: Romans celebrated a young man’s first shave as a coming‑of‑age ceremony. Barbershops served as important social centers.
2. Barbers and Social Rituals
• By the 18th century, barbers performed multiple roles: from cutting hair to making wigs and shaving clients. Their craft was highly respected and integrated into daily life.
3. Rise of the Straight Razor
• Straight razors have deep history, but the 18th–19th centuries saw Sheffield, England, become a hub of steel craftsmanship—producing high‑quality blades widely used in barbershops and households.
4. The Safety Razor Revolution
• The first safety razor—featuring a guard to reduce cutting risk—was developed around 1762 by Jean‑Jacques Perret. Later, Gillette’s double‑edge safety razor with disposable blades (patented in 1901, commercialized 1903) revolutionized shaving by making it safer and more accessible.
• World War I accelerated adoption of Gillette razors: millions were issued to U.S. servicemen, catalyzing widespread civilian use post‑war.
5. Electrification and Modern Convenience
• The first electric razor was invented in 1898 by John F. O’Rourke; Remington Rand began manufacturing electric shavers in 1937, based on Jacob Schick’s earlier patent (1928). Philips joined the electric shaving market in 1939.
• The latter 20th century introduced cartridge, disposable, and multi‑blade razors—the Mach3 (3 blades) in 1998, Schick Quattro (4 blades), and Gillette Fusion (5 blades)—leading to today’s multi‑blade norm.
6. Grooming, Gender, and Beauty Standards
• In early 20th-century America, women’s leg and underarm shaving was rare—until fashion and aggressive advertising campaigns in the 1920s began to change perceptions, making smooth skin a beauty standard.
• Ancient cultures often shaved for spiritual or hygienic reasons. Ancient Egypt recorded both genders shaving their bodies; in classical Rome and Greece, hair removal held social and cultural meaning, particularly among women of certain professions.
Further Reading & Sources at a Glance
• Origins and evolution of shaving tools and practices:
• History of blades: straight, safety, and electric razors:
• Role of barbers and barbershops in historical culture:
• Women’s shaving and beauty culture in the 20th century:
• Museum and infographic overviews:
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