How a Disposable Razor Became a Billion-Dollar Game Changer in Grooming

On November 15, 1904, King Gillette forever altered the grooming landscape by patenting the disposable safety razor. Imagine a world where men wrestled with straight blades every morning—sounds painful, right? Gillette’s invention utilized stamped razors from carbon steel, which, while disposable, offered safety features that made trimming a breeze. The launch was timely, meeting a mass market that craved convenience without sacrificing comfort.

Initially retailing for about $5, or $175 today, the razor’s price didn’t deter eager customers. In its first year, only 51 razors were sold, but fast forward to year two, and sales skyrocketed to nearly 91,000. Fast forward over a century, and the brand spawned a massive $50 billion empire, cementing itself as a household name in hygiene.

But Gillette didn’t stop there; in 2020, the company pledged to cut virgin plastic use by half by 2030 while striving for zero waste across all facilities. Talk about shaving for a cause! And let’s not forget the date’s other significant happenings, from the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis to actor Sam Waterston’s birthday. So, what will future innovations look like? Could we be gearing up for a revolution in grooming again?