Name the inventors of each of the following common items: a. In 1895, who invented the safety razor? b. In 1928, who invented the electric razor?

King Camp Gillette, a traveling salesman, grew frustrated with the constant need to sharpen his traditional straight razor. This everyday annoyance led to a revolutionary idea in 1895: a razor with a thin, inexpensive, and disposable steel blade. While the concept was simple, perfecting the manufacturing process took years. He finally began selling his "safety razor" in 1903, and his invention fundamentally changed personal grooming by making a close shave both safe and incredibly convenient for the average person. The Gillette brand he founded remains a household name to this day.

A few decades later, another inventor aimed to eliminate the need for water and soap entirely. US Army Colonel Jacob Schick conceived of the electric razor, inspired by the challenges of shaving in cold climates with limited resources. He patented his first practical design in 1928, creating a device that offered a "dry shave" powered by a small motor. Though initially a high-priced novelty, Schick's invention paved the way for a whole new category of shaving tools and established a brand that would become a major competitor to Gillette's blade-based system. Both men turned a common problem into a world-changing innovation.