Iowan Invents Electric Razor: Iowa Time Machine July 23, 1929

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On July 23, 1929, Ottumwa-born Jacob Schick patented the first electric razor. The founder of an iconic American company, Schick, also served a distinguished military career spanning the Spanish-American War and World War I.

Following his Ottumwa origins, Schick found himself overseeing a railroad line running from Los Corrillos, New Mexico, to a coal mine owned by his father. Enlisting with the 14th Infantry Regiment in 1898 during the Spanish-American War, Schick shipped out to the Philippines with the 8th Army Corps. During his military career, he rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

Sent back stateside due to dysentery, Schick allegedly came up with the idea for an electric razor during his illness. After a stint laying military telegraph lines in Alaska, Schick left the military in 1910, only to return to duty in 1916 due to the escalating European conflict. Schick’s service led to a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel during the Great War.

After mustering out of the military, Schick became serious about razors. Inspired by the repeating rifle, he designed an injection-cartridge blade razor modeled on the weapons' technology. While working at the Magazine Repeating Razor Company, he developed the electric razor, laying the groundwork for its invention. A series of patents, including the one from this date in history, ultimately culminated in the final patent for the invention in May 1930. Schick also designed and patented a boat for shallow-water use (General Jacobs Boat) and an improved pencil sharpener. #Iowa #History #OTD #Innovation #Tech