The electric razor came from two inventors working separately in the 1920s

Jacob Schick, an American inventor, patented the first electric razor in 1928. Schick had spent years in Alaska during a gold rush and grew frustrated with the time it took to shave with a straight razor in freezing conditions. He designed a razor with a small electric motor that moved a blade back and forth inside a protective head — the same basic design most electric razors still use today.

Around the same time, Philips, the Dutch electronics company, was developing its own electric shaver. Philips introduced the Philishave in 1939, which used a different approach: rotating circular blades instead of a back-and-forth motion. Both designs worked, and both companies sold millions of razors. The choice between them — oscillating blades versus rotating heads — still defines the two main types you can buy.

Before Schick's invention, shaving meant either a straight razor (which required stropping and skill) or a safety razor with replaceable blades (which was faster but still manual). An electric razor cut the time in half and removed the risk of cuts for people who weren't practiced with a blade.

Key Takeaways

  • Jacob Schick patented the first electric razor in 1928, using a motor to move a blade back and forth inside a protective head.
  • Philips introduced a competing design in 1939 using rotating circular blades instead of oscillating ones.
  • Both designs are still manufactured today, and the choice between them is mostly personal preference.
  • Electric razors were faster and safer than straight razors or manual safety razors, which is why they replaced them in most households.

How Schick's oscillating design works

Schick's razor has a small electric motor inside the handle that vibrates a thin metal blade back and forth very quickly — usually 4,000 to 10,000 times per second depending on the model. The blade sits behind a protective foil or mesh screen with tiny holes. Your whiskers poke through the holes, and the moving blade cuts them off just below the skin surface.

This design is what you get when you buy a brand like Norelco or Braun that advertises "oscillating" or "linear" motion. The back-and-forth movement mimics the motion of a manual razor stroke, which is why many people find it familiar. Because the blade moves in one direction, it works well if you shave in the direction your beard grows.

How Philips' rotating design works

Philips' approach uses three or four circular blades that spin in a circular motion, usually at 5,000 to 7,000 rotations per minute. Each circular blade sits in its own small head, and whiskers are drawn up into the center of each circle where the spinning blade cuts them. The multiple heads let you cover more area with each stroke.

Rotating razors are what you see from Philips (under the Norelco brand in North America) and Panasonic. Because the blades move in all directions at once, you can shave in any direction — against the grain, with the grain, or sideways — without changing your technique. Many people find this faster because you don't have to think about direction.

Why both designs survived instead of one winning

Neither design is objectively better. Oscillating razors tend to give a closer shave for people with thick beards because the blade cuts in one controlled direction. Rotating razors tend to be faster and work better for people who want to shave in any direction without planning their strokes. Both are gentler on skin than a manual razor if you use them correctly.

The real difference is comfort and habit. If you grew up watching your father use an oscillating razor, you probably prefer that motion. If you learned on a rotating head, that feels natural to you. Manufacturers have spent decades refining both designs, so a modern Braun oscillating razor and a modern Philips rotating razor are both reliable and effective — the choice is personal.

Battery-powered versus plug-in razors

Schick's original razors were plug-in only, which limited where you could shave. In the 1960s, manufacturers began adding rechargeable batteries, which made electric razors practical for travel. Today most electric razors are cordless and rechargeable, though some people still prefer plug-in models because they never run out of power mid-shave.

A rechargeable razor typically holds a charge for 30 to 60 minutes of shaving time, which is enough for 5 to 15 shaves depending on how thick your beard is and how long you let it grow between shaves. Plug-in razors cost less upfront and never need charging, but the cord limits where you can use them.

What changed after the original invention

The basic motor and blade design from the 1920s and 1930s is still the foundation of every electric razor sold today. What has changed is the materials, the precision of the blades, and the battery technology. Modern razors use stainless steel blades that stay sharp longer, motors that are quieter and more efficient, and lithium batteries that charge faster and hold power better.

Waterproof designs arrived in the 1980s and 1990s, letting people shave in the shower or use shaving cream with their electric razor. Wet-and-dry razors cost more but give you flexibility — you can shave dry in a hurry or wet for a closer shave. The fundamental invention, though, is still Schick's: a motor moving a blade very fast inside a protective head.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Jacob Schick invent the first razor ever?

No. Straight razors existed for centuries, and safety razors with replaceable blades were invented in the 1870s. Schick invented the first electric razor, which was faster and safer than both of those options.

Are oscillating razors better than rotating ones?

Neither is objectively better. Oscillating razors often give a closer shave and feel familiar if you learned on them. Rotating razors are often faster and work in any direction. The best choice depends on your beard thickness, skin sensitivity, and personal preference.

Why do electric razors need to be charged?

The motor that moves the blade requires power. Cordless rechargeable razors use a battery so you can shave anywhere. Plug-in razors draw power directly from the wall and never run out, but you need to be near an outlet.

Can you use shaving cream with an electric razor?

It depends on the model. Wet-and-dry razors are waterproof and work with shaving cream or gel, which can give a closer shave. Dry-only razors should not be used with water or cream because moisture can damage the motor.