Innovation at it’s best

Here is a fine example of how US leads the world in technology and innovation. Gillette, as you know, has been helping us fight one of the biggest problems plaguing mankind - the stubble on the man's face. Gillette were one of the first to market 'safety' razors, which means you can 'safely' cut off your nose or ear with those razors if you are not careful. They were the first to introduce the twin blade razors during early 70s in the US and 3-blade razor during the 90s. Their innovation also included the Aloe strip that is found on their Mach3 razors. This strip has a unique property of enhancing the price of the razor without providing any material benefit. But then, another company, Schick, beat them to the next number. They were the first to come up with highly innovative 4-blade shaving razor. That must have been a dark day in Gillette headquarters.

But then, we are talking about a company which boasts more about innovation and technology on their website than NASA or Intel do. So it was obvious they were not going to sit quiet. Their research teams set out to find out what number comes after 4. Within a couple of years, they knew it. This week they introduced - suspense - hold your breath - the world's first Five-blade razor system!!!!! Don't believe me? See for yourself. So I guess you get the picture of what shaving razors will look like in 2010. There will be more blades than can be fit on the razor, but there is the long handle to be made use of ;-) Or probably razors will look like cheese graters.

Where does all this leave India? We are still stuck with age-old 3-blade technology. It looks like nuclear technology and high end computing and encryption technology reach India faster than this razor technology. We are stuck with yesterday's shaving technology, Shah Rukh Khan's smooth cheeks notwithstanding. It is high time Topaz blade company in India put some money into razor research. (clue: Just find what number comes after 5 and you have it. Better patent it now). Meanwhile, I am too scared to try the 5-blade variety from Gillette. I will stick with my Electric shaver. It may have 100s of tiny blades, but it takes far more effort to cut off my nose or ear with it.