American Toolbox

Barbasol

Posted on May 3, 2015

Unconsciously I became brand-loyal.  Reaching for the same spice or salt, shoes and tires, buying habits formed decades ago influence every day.  Particularly loyal to my shaving cream, I’ve found anything else, at twice the price, does not compare with Barbasol.

Who has not heard of Barbasol ?  In the 1930s, after the Raytheon Tube put a radio in everyman’s home,  America would be familiar with Singin’ Sam the Barbasol Man.  “Barbasol, Barbasol … No brush, no lather, no rub-in … Wet your razor, then begin.”   Actors, sports figures, even NASCAR has advertised for Barbasol.

Shaving is not rocket science.  Lather up, scrape face, rinse, done.  But in 1919, the process was forever changed by MIT Professor Frank Shields.   In Indianapolis, Indiana, Frank started a company to sell the cream he invented.  A scientist who understood the big picture, because I still buy only Barbasol.  For the price?  Sure.  Mostly for the quality, though.