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'''King Camp Gillette''' ([[January 5]], [[1855]] - [[July 9]], [[1932]]) is popularly, and incorrectly, known, as the inventor of the safety [[razor]]. (The [[Encyclop�dia Britannica]], among others, has [[m:Making fun of Britannica|falsely so credited]] him.) The safety razor was in fact invented in [[1880s]] by the Kampfe Brothers, but still used a forged blade. (See [http://www.creekstone.net/razors/firstrazor.htm picture of my personal Kampfe Brothers razor], with patent dates.) While Gillette did improve the design of the safety razor, his true invention was an inexpensive, high profit-margin stamped steel blade and a unique business model.

Born in [[Fond du Lac, Wisconsin]] and raised in [[Chicago, Illinois]], King Camp Gillette's family was devastated by the [[Great Chicago Fire]] of [[1871]]. While working as a traveling salesman to support his family in the [[1890s]], he hit upon an idea. He realized that a profit could be made by selling a safety razor at a reduced price and then making a nice profit margin on the inexpensive disposable blades. This has been called the [[Razor and blades business model]], or a "loss leader".

To try out his idea he founded the American Safety Razor Company on [[September 28]], [[1901]]. The company's name was changed in July [[1902]] to Gillette Safety Razor Company. The first razors were produced in [[1903]], selling a total of 51 razors and 168 blades that year. The followng year 90,884 razors and 123,648 blades were sold, thanks in part to his low prices, automated manufacturing techniques and good advertising. By [[1908]] they had established manufacturing facilities in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[England]], [[France]] and [[Germany]]. Razor sales reached 450,000 units while blades sales exceeded 70 million units in [[1915]]. King Camp Gillete died in [[Los Angeles, California]], but his legacy continues. Today the [[Gillette Corporation]] continues to thrive and sells products under a variety of brand names including Gillette, [[Braun]], [[Oral-B]], and [[Duracell]].

He is buried in the [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery]] in [[Glendale]], [[California]].

==References==
* Adapted from the [[Wikipedia]] article, "King C. Gillette" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_C._Gillette January 4, 2004