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Jacob SchickAmerican inventor and entrepreneur
Date of Birth: 16.09.1877
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Jacob Schick: Inventor of the Electric Razor
- Invention of the Electric Razor
- Commercialization and Success
- Controversies and Death
- Legacy and Patents
Jacob Schick: Inventor of the Electric Razor
Early Life and Military CareerJacob Schick was born on September 16, 1877, in Ottumwa, Iowa. At the age of 16, he supervised a railroad line connecting Los Corrillos, New Mexico, to a coal mine owned by his father. In 1898, he enlisted in the 14th Infantry Regiment and was deployed to the Philippines.
After serving as a second lieutenant in the 8th Infantry Regiment from 1903 to 1905, Schick returned to the United States, where he suffered from dysentery. This experience sparked an interest in creating a more efficient shaving method.
Invention of the Electric Razor
As a first lieutenant assigned to the 22nd Infantry Regiment in Alaska, Schick witnessed the challenges of shaving in cold conditions. Inspired by the need for a better solution, he invented an electric razor with a vibrating blade powered by an electric motor connected through a cord.
Commercialization and Success
Schick officially retired from the military in 1910 but returned during the First World War as a captain and eventually attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. In November 1923, he patented his first electric razor.
In 1925, Schick established the Magazine Repeating Razor Co., where he continued to refine his razor, developing an "injection cartridge" blade insertion system. In 1928, the American Chain & Cable Company acquired Schick's company.
As the size of electric motors decreased, Schick was able to incorporate them into the handle of his razors. In 1931, he sold a model in New York for $25. The demand for electric razors grew rapidly, and by 1937, Schick had sold approximately 1.5 million units, earning him a fortune.
Controversies and Death
In 1935, Schick became a Canadian citizen to avoid a congressional investigation into tax evasion. He transferred a significant portion of his wealth to holding companies in the Bahamas.
On July 3, 1937, Schick died in Montreal, Quebec, from complications following kidney surgery. He was survived by his wife, Florence Leavitt Schick Stedman, and two daughters, Virginia and Barbara.
Legacy and Patents
Jacob Schick's legacy lives on through his invention of the electric razor, which revolutionized the shaving experience. He also patented the General Jacobs Boat, a shallow-draft vessel, and an improved pencil sharpener.
