Archaeological evidence shows even cavemen shaved, using sharp volcanic rocks for razors, and the process evolved little. The tools went from stone to metal, but precise shaving was best left up to the professionals: the safety razors until the 20th century were little more than long, sharp blades, that had to be frequently straightened out on leather strops and re-sharpened on whetstones. King Gillette conceived of an improvement, a safety razor with a disposable blade, to be replaced instead of re-sharpened when it wore out. To create the metal for this blade Gillette turned to MIT.

On this day, December 2, in 1901, King Gillette patented his new invention, a disposable razor with a small, thin and flexible metal developed specifically for him by MIT graduate William Nickerson.

It took six years for Gillette and Nickerson to develop the metal and bring down the costs to make the razor practical, but the gamble paid off. Sales grew immediately after introduction. The handle was a one-time purchase; only the blades, sold in several to pack, needed to be replaced. Gillette’s patent did not prevent competition, and soon a variety of other companies were making single-bladed, then double-bladed safety razors. Gillette did not mind the competition; he just bought them up, along with many other personal hygiene brands like Braun and Oral-B. He also spread into shaving accessories, starting the shaving cream Foamyë 1953 and the Right Guardë antiperspirant in 1960. When half of the world was a potential customer, Gillette could afford to take chances.