Designed to expedite barberies, the machine intended to shave several men at the same time with one Synchronized system of blades. However, a serious design error made it an absolute failure, demonstrating that not all innovations are intended for success.
The operation of the multiple shaving machine: What did wrong?
In an era where efficiency began to be key in different areas, a British company He had the ambitious idea of developing a machine that could shave 12 men simultaneously. The device, marketed by D merry and are in BirminghamI was looking to reduce the waiting times in barberses through an automated movement of moving blades.
The concept seemed promising: customers were placed in a row and the machine passed on their faces with a synchronized blades system. However, what in theory sounded innovative, in practice it turned out to be a complete disaster.
The main problem was Lack of adaptation to the physiognomy of each person. While a barber adjusts the pressure and angle of the razor according to the shape of the face and the type of hair, this machine applied the same cutting pattern for all equally. The result: multiple cuts, scrapes and a shave far from being precise or safe.
Despite the failure, the invention did not fall into oblivion. Decades later, in the 60s, the British comedian Eric Sykes He recreated the machine on a television program, showing with humor the risks of blindly trusting in the automation of tasks as delicate as the shave.
Failed innovations in history: other inventions that failed to succeed
The multiple shaving machine was not the only idea that failed in its attempt to modernize everyday life. Over the years, several inventions promised to be revolutionaries, but never managed to take off.
One of the most curious was the snowstorm maskpresented in 1939 in Montreal. Designed to protect the face of the frozen wind, its unusual and unusual appearance made it quickly discarded by the public.
Another little successful invention was the Double sharing cigarettescreated in 1955. Thought so that two people could smoke at the same time, it was uncomfortable, difficult to transport and, ultimately, unnecessary.
In 1962, a British inventor designed the Floating shoes with propellersa kind of “aquatic bicycle” that allowed to walk on water. However, his maneuverability was so complicated that he never popularized.
One of the most extravagant was the Dinoesferaa single -wheel vehicle created in the 30s. Although its inventor saw it as the transport of the future, design instability made it ever be beyond some prototypes.
Source: Ambito
