MILITARY ISSUE

King C. Gillette revolutionized changes in hygiene care for men with his invention of the first safety razor patented in the U.S. in 1904.

With the start of World War I, Gillette saw an opportunity to supply fighting men with a razor and blades stored in a small metal box that was to be carried among their personal items.

The soldiers were ordered to shave daily, a practice in personal hygiene against unsanitary conditions of trench warfare.

In 1939, at the outbreak of World War II, fighting men were again presented with a metal box with blades and a razor that was carried in their knapsack.

The knapsack was then buckled to a harness and fitted up high on the soldier’s back.