History of Shaving  

Credit for the first person to devise a safer razor is typically given to Jean-Jacques Perret. In the late 18th century, Perret was inspired by a joiner’s plane, a tool used for shaping wood that securely holds a blade in place. His razor design included a shielding to prevent the user from cutting himself. 
 
Throughout the 19th century, dozens of patents emerged for razors designed to shield the blade and protect the user, most of which were variants and evolutions of Perret’s initial design. 
 
In 1901, King Camp Gillette invented what most closely resembles the modern safety razor, featuring a double-edged blade held between top and bottom shields. Gillette was an innovator in that the blades were easily disposable, ensuring that the user was shaving with a sharp blade. Similarly, safety razors today carry disposable blades and do not need to be stropped to maintain an edge. 
 
In 1971, Gillette introduced the first cartridge razor known as the Trac II. This razor featured removable double-blade cartridges that were snapped into place on a permanent razor. Since that time, cartridge blades have evolved in many ways and have featured pivoting heads, moisture strips, wire guards, vibrating handles, and more blades for an increasingly close shave. Learn more about blades below.