Gillette safety razor patent

On 15 November 1904 the United States granted King Camp Gillette a patent for a safety razor using thin, cheap steel blades that could be thrown away when blunt instead of being sharpened. Shaving at home became quicker and safer than with a straight razor, and the clean-shaven face became the everyday look for men in much of the world through the 20th century. The swing of fashion since, through moustaches, sideburns and the return of the full beard and designer stubble, has always been measured against that clean-shaven default.

Guides tied to Gillette safety razor patent

BeardWhat the safety razor made easy to removeDesigner stubbleA later style defined against the clean shaveMoustacheOften kept while the rest of the face was shaved