Electric shaver

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Electric shaver
Philips Norelco 9700 Rotary Electric Shaver (30973817280).jpg
Rotary-style electric shaver
Oscillating electric razor.jpg
Foil-type electric razor
Other namesDry razor, electric razor, shaver
Classification Personal grooming device
TypesRotary, foil, corded, battery-powered
Related Electric hair clippers, safety razor

An electric shaver (also known as the dry razor, electric razor, or simply shaver) is a razor with an electrically powered rotating or oscillating blade. The electric shaver usually does not require the use of shaving cream, soap, or water. The razor may be powered by a small DC motor, which is either powered by batteries or mains electricity. Many modern ones are powered using rechargeable batteries. Alternatively, an electro-mechanical oscillator driven by an AC-energized solenoid may be used. Some very early mechanical shavers had no electric motor and had to be powered by hand, for example by pulling a cord to drive a flywheel.

Contents

Electric shavers fall into two main categories: foil or rotary-style. Users tend to prefer one or the other. Many modern shavers are cordless; they are charged up with a plug charger or they are placed within a cleaning and charging unit.

History

The first person to receive a patent for a razor powered by electricity was John Francis O'Rourke, a New York civil engineer, with his US patent 616554 filed in 1898. [1] The first working electric razor was invented in 1915 by German engineer Johann Bruecker. [2] Others followed suit, such as the American Col. Jacob Schick, who patented the first electric razor in 1930. [3] [4] The Remington Rand Corporation developed the electric razor further, first producing the electric razor[ citation needed ] in 1937. Another important inventor was Prof. Alexandre Horowitz, from Philips Laboratories in the Netherlands, who invented the concept of the revolving (rotary) electric razor. It has a shaving head consisting of cutters that cut off the hair entering the head of the razor at skin level. [5] [6] Roland Ullmann from Braun in Germany was another inventor who was decisive for development of the modern electric razor. [7] He was the first to fuse rubber and metal elements on shavers [8] and developed more than 100 electrical razors for Braun. [9] In the course of his career Ullmann filed well over 100 patents for innovations in the context of dry shavers. [10] The major manufacturers introduce new improvements to the hair-cutting mechanism of their products every few years. Each manufacturer sells several different generations of cutting mechanism at the same time, and for each generation, several models with different features and accessories to reach various price points. The improvements to the cutting mechanisms tend to 'trickle-down' to lower-priced models over time.

The standard AA-size Ni-Cd battery (600 mAh) is soldered in place, deterring user replacement. Shaver battery.JPG
The standard AA-size Ni-Cd battery (600 mAh) is soldered in place, deterring user replacement.

Early versions of electric razors were meant to be used on dry skin only. Many recent electric razors have been designed to allow for wet/dry use, which also allows them to be cleaned using running water or an included cleaning machine, reducing cleaning effort. Some patience is necessary when starting to use a razor of this type, as the skin usually takes some time to adjust to the way that the electric razor lifts and cuts the hairs. Moisturizers designed specifically for electric shaving are available.

Battery-powered electric razors

In the late 1940s, the first electric razors that were battery-powered entered the market. In 1960, Remington introduced the first rechargeable battery-powered electric razor. [11] [12] [13] Battery-operated electric razors have been available using rechargeable batteries sealed inside the razor's case, previously nickel cadmium or, more recently, nickel metal hydride. Some modern shavers use Lithium-ion batteries (which do not suffer from memory effect). Sealed battery shavers either have built-in or external charging devices. Some shavers may be designed to plug directly into a wall outlet with a swing-out or pop-up plug, or have a detachable AC cord. Other shavers have recharging base units that plug into an AC outlet and provide DC power at the base contacts (eliminating the need for the AC-to-DC converter to be inside the razor, reducing the risk of electric shock). In order to prevent any risk of electric shock, shavers designed for wet use usually do not allow corded use and will not turn on until the charging adapter cord is disconnected or the shaver is removed from the charging base.

Razor vs. trimmer

Electric shaver (Russia) Electric shaver Berdsk.jpg
Electric shaver (Russia)

An electric razor and an electric trimmer are essentially the same devices by build, the major difference coming in terms of their usage and the blades that they come with.

Electric razors are made specifically for providing a clean shave. It has lesser battery power but more aggression towards clipping hair. Electric Trimmers, on the other hand, are not meant for clean shaves. They come with special combs fixed onto them that aid in proper grooming and trimming of the beard stubs to desired shapes and sizes.

General

Some models, generally marketed as "travel razors" (or "travel shavers"), use removable rechargeable or disposable batteries, usually size AA or AAA. This offers the option of purchasing batteries while traveling instead of carrying a charging device.

Water-resistance and wet/dry electric shavers

Many modern electric shavers are water-resistant, allowing the user to clean the shaver in water. In order to ensure electrical safety, the charging/power cord for the shaver must be unplugged from it before the unit is cleaned using water.

Some shavers are labeled as "Wet/Dry" which means the unit can be used in wet environments, for wet shaving. Such models are always battery-powered and usually the electronics will not allow turning the unit on while the charging adapter is plugged-in. This is necessary to ensure electrical safety, as it would be unsafe to use a plugged-in shaver in bathtub or shower.

Lady shaver

A lady shaver is a device designed to shave a woman's body hair. The design is usually similar to a man's foil shaver. Often a shaving attachment is a feature of an epilator which is supplied as a separate head-attachment (different from the epilating one).

Body hair shaver

Traditional men's shavers are designed for shaving facial hair. However, other shaver products are made specifically to facilitate shaving of body hair.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leg shaving</span> Cultural grooming practice

Leg shaving is the practice of removing leg hair by shaving the hair off using a razor or electric shaver. In addition, some people remove leg hair using waxing, sugaring, depilatories, epilators or other depilation devices, or lasers, but shaving remains the least expensive and one of the least painful methods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaving</span> Removal of hair with a razor or others bladed implement

Shaving is the removal of hair, by using a razor or any other kind of bladed implement, to slice it down—to the level of the skin or otherwise. Shaving is most commonly practiced by men to remove their facial hair and by women to remove their leg and underarm hair. A man is called clean-shaven if he has had his beard entirely removed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power supply</span> Electronic device that converts or regulates electric energy and supplies it to a load

A power supply is an electrical device that supplies electric power to an electrical load. The main purpose of a power supply is to convert electric current from a source to the correct voltage, current, and frequency to power the load. As a result, power supplies are sometimes referred to as electric power converters. Some power supplies are separate standalone pieces of equipment, while others are built into the load appliances that they power. Examples of the latter include power supplies found in desktop computers and consumer electronics devices. Other functions that power supplies may perform include limiting the current drawn by the load to safe levels, shutting off the current in the event of an electrical fault, power conditioning to prevent electronic noise or voltage surges on the input from reaching the load, power-factor correction, and storing energy so it can continue to power the load in the event of a temporary interruption in the source power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Razor</span> Device to remove body hair

A razor is a bladed tool primarily used in the removal of body hair through the act of shaving. Kinds of razors include straight razors, safety razors, disposable razors, and electric razors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safety razor</span> Shaving implement

A safety razor is a shaving implement with a protective device positioned between the edge of the blade and the skin. The initial purpose of these protective devices was to reduce the level of skill needed for injury-free shaving, thereby reducing the reliance on professional barbers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AC power plugs and sockets</span> Connector used to connect to mains power

AC power plugs and sockets connect devices to mains electricity to supply them with electrical power. A plug is the connector attached to an electrically-operated device, often via a cable. A socket is fixed in place, often on the internal walls of buildings, and is connected to an AC electrical circuit. Inserting the plug into the socket allows the device to draw power from this circuit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AC adapter</span> Type of external power supply

An AC adapter or AC/DC adapter is a type of external power supply, often enclosed in a case similar to an AC plug. AC adapters deliver electric power to devices that lack internal components to draw voltage and power from mains power themselves. The internal circuitry of an external power supply is often very similar to the design that would be used for a built-in or internal supply.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Straight razor</span> Knife used to remove body hair

A straight razor is a razor with a blade that can fold into its handle. They are also called open razors and cut-throat razors. The predecessors of the modern straight razors include bronze razors, with cutting edges and fixed handles, produced by craftsmen from Ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom. Solid gold and copper razors were also found in Ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to the 4th millennium BC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philishave</span> Brand name

Philishave is the brand name for electric shavers, their spare parts and accessories manufactured by the Philips Domestic Appliances and Personal Care unit of Philips. In recent years, Philips had extended the Philishave brand to include hair clippers, beard trimmers and beard shapers. Philips used the Philishave brand name for their shavers from 1939 to 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaving brush</span> Tool to make and apply shaving soap or cream

A shaving brush or shave brush is a small brush with a handle parallel to the bristles used to make lather from shaving soap or shaving cream and apply it to the face when shaving. Shave brushes are often decorative; antique handles are often made from materials such as ivory or even gold, though the bristle load may be composed of any number of natural or synthetic materials. The shave brush is used most often today by "wet shavers" in tandem with a single- or double-edged safety razor or a straight razor. However, this is not always the case, as shavers of all varieties may employ the tool.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schick (razors)</span> American personal care brand

Schick is an American brand of personal care products and safety razors which was founded in 1926 by Jacob Schick. It is currently owned by Edgewell Personal Care.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wahl Clipper</span> American manufacturer of grooming products

The Wahl Clipper Corporation is an American manufacturer of grooming products. It is headquartered in Sterling, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epilator</span> Hair removal device

An epilator is an electrical device used to remove hair by mechanically grasping multiple hairs simultaneously and pulling them out. The way in which epilators pull out hair is similar to waxing, but unlike waxing, they do not remove skin cells. Epilators may use an electric motor or be manually powered with a spring. They may also come with various attachments, like a smaller head to help with epilation of hard-to-reach areas, or an exfoliation head that may help exfoliate the skin before and after epilation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NEMA connector</span> Power plugs and receptacles used in North America and some other regions

NEMA connectors are power plugs and sockets used for AC mains electricity in North America and other countries that use the standards set by the US National Electrical Manufacturers Association. NEMA wiring devices are made in current ratings from 15 to 60 amperes (A), with voltage ratings from 125 to 600 volts (V). Different combinations of contact blade widths, shapes, orientations, and dimensions create non-interchangeable connectors that are unique for each combination of voltage, electric current carrying capacity, and grounding system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaving in Judaism</span> Shaving in Judaism

Judaism prohibits shaving with a razor on the basis of a rabbinic interpretation of Leviticus 19:27, which states, "Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard." The Mishnah interprets this as a prohibition on using a razor on the beard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automobile auxiliary power outlet</span> Outlet for portable accessories

An automobile auxiliary power outlet in an automobile was initially designed to power an electrically heated cigarette lighter, but became a de facto standard DC connector to supply electrical power for portable accessories used in or near an automobile directly from the vehicle's electrical system. Such include mobile phone chargers, cooling fans, portable fridges, electric air pumps, and power inverters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charging station</span> Installation for charging electric vehicles

A charging station, also known as a charge point, chargepoint, or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), is a power supply device that supplies electrical power for recharging plug-in electric vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric battery</span> Power source with electrochemical cells

An electric battery is a source of electric power consisting of one or more electrochemical cells with external connections for powering electrical devices. When a battery is supplying power, its positive terminal is the cathode and its negative terminal is the anode. The terminal marked negative is the source of electrons that will flow through an external electric circuit to the positive terminal. When a battery is connected to an external electric load, a redox reaction converts high-energy reactants to lower-energy products, and the free-energy difference is delivered to the external circuit as electrical energy. Historically the term "battery" specifically referred to a device composed of multiple cells; however, the usage has evolved to include devices composed of a single cell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacob Schick</span> American businessman (1877–1937)

Jacob Schick was an American military officer, inventor, and entrepreneur who patented an early electric razor and started the Schick Dry Shaver, Inc. razor company. He is the father of electric razors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types</span> AC power plug type

Plugs and sockets for electrical appliances not hardwired to mains electricity originated in the United Kingdom in the 1870s and were initially two-pin designs. These were usually sold as a mating pair, but gradually de facto and then official standards arose to enable the interchange of compatible devices. British standards have proliferated throughout large parts of the former British Empire.

References

  1. "The Schick Dry Electric Razor".
  2. ABC der Deutschen Erfindungen. Reportage von Dorothee Ott und Kristine von Soden. Hessischer Rundfunk, 23. December 2010.
  3. "Jacob Schick Invents the Electric Razor". Today in History. ConnecticutHistory.org. May 13, 2017.
  4. U.S. patent 1,757,978
  5. DE 694507 "Haarschergeraet"
  6. CA 401667 "HAIR CUTTING DEVICE"
  7. "A History of Braun Design, Part 1: Electric Shavers". Core77. Retrieved 2017-10-22.
  8. Terstiege, Gerrit, ed. (2009). The making of design: from the first model to the final product. Basel: Birkhäuser. ISBN   9781299719897. OCLC   852656502.
  9. "Braun-Ausstellung: Elektrisch und trocken gegen 15.000 Barthaare". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. 2010-12-27. Retrieved 2017-10-22.
  10. "Google Scholar". scholar.google.ch. Retrieved 2017-10-22.
  11. Electric Shaver Museum. Pedewei.home.xs4all.nl. Retrieved on 2012-09-14.
  12. "LIFE Magazine". Life. 1963-11-29. p. 9. ISSN   0024-3019.
  13. Brett (2014-06-25). "Art of Manliness Sacrilege! My Year-Long Experiment With Using an Electric Razor". The Art of Manliness. Retrieved 2021-04-23.