Battery electric razors

1932 Sirama
1950 Rosse & Affolter Unic
1952 Philips Philishave/Norelco model 7750
1958 Philips Philishave Sportsman
1960 Pifco Holiday
1963 Millward Courier
1963 Philips Philishave 7970
1967 Philips Philishave HP1203
1969 Philips Philishave HP1213

1932

Sirama

Germany

Made by Siemens (SiRaMa = Siemens Rasiermachine) Example of electrically operated wet razor as intermediate stage between safety razor and mains electric dry shaver (see Schick). 4.5 volt battery powers electric motor in handle which oscillates conventional safety razor blade. chrome plated razor body, dark blue leatherette case, maroon phenol plastic battery case. Other types of non-mains electric wet razor include the US Vibroshave and French Klaro.
Click here for complete ensemble and here in case.
Click here to see set up with wall holder and battery pack.
Click here for Art Deco case type.
Click here for page from the user instructions.

c1950

Rosse & Affolter Unic

Switzerland

Cigar-shaped battery razor in cream urea plastic; top half contains motor, bottom half (faceted) for unscrews for access to battery. Black slide switch, rotary cutter and foil head. Dark red paper/card case, later versions in black plastic case. Produced c1950-c1965. Small cream urea plastic cover later replaced by half-height cover with grips added to razor body.
Click for pages 1 2 of user instructions.

1952

Philips Philishave/Noerelco model 7750

The Netherlands

First battery Philishave: body based on Philips model 7748 in maroon urea plastic body Chromium plated cutting head cover. Luxuriously packaged in large leather oval zip-up case with tartan lining. Large separate 3 - 6volt battery pack in maroon stove-enamelled steel with chromuim plated steel mirror and stand, doubles as shaving mirror. Shaver plugs into battery pack or car lighter socket via separate convertor. Small maroon cleaning brush. Leather cord band with press-stud.

Click here for complete package

Click here for case open

1958

Philips Philishave Sportsman model 7779

The Netherlands

Updated battery Philishave: body based on Philips model 7918 in two-tone grey/white urea plastic body Chromium plated cutting head cover. Large separate 3 - 6volt battery pack in grey/fawn plastic with inset glass mirror and stand, doubles as shaving mirror. Shaver plugs into battery pack or car lighter socket via separate convertor.

Click here for complete package

Click here for box graphics.

c1960

Pifco Holiday model 1129

Switzerland

Triangular design resembling a perfume/after-shave bottle in white melamine plastic with grey details. Clip-release base for large transverse battery. Rotary cutter and foil head with small grey polythene cover. In Consumer's Association 'Which' report on razors, 12/63.

1963

Millward Courier

UK

New product by Needle Industries reflecting company's precision engineering. Elegant and beautifully made in white nylon plastic. Designed by Kenneth Grange (Kenwood Chef, Inter-City trains, etc.) and won Duke of Edinburgh Award for design. Extensive review in Design June 1963.Rotary cutter in cast-alloy head with integral trim attachment. Not a commercial success but copied by others.
Click here for complete ensemble and packaging graphics.
Click here for a page from the user instructions.

1963

Philips Philishave model 7970

The Netherlands

First Philips razor with built-in batteries. White plastic case with beige battery cover. Known as 'the Penguin'. Twin-rotary cutting head, push-button release for cleaning/replacement and clear plastic cover. Dark blue vinyl zip-up case with red felt trim and pull-down panel revealing mirror.

1967

Philips Philishave model HP1203

The Netherlands

Revised version of 'penguin' Philips razor with built-in batteries. White plastic case with dark grey battery cover. Twin-rotary cutting head, push-button release for cleaning/replacement and clear plastic cover. Pull-up battery access wire. Dark grey flip-open hard case with built-in mirror. Flat cleaning brush with clear plastic sliding cover.
Click here for the packaging.
Click here and here for instructions leaflet.

1969

Philips Philishave model HP1213

The Netherlands

Replacement for 'penguin' Philishave razor with built-in batteries. Dark grey-aubergine body with push-button flip top, on-off switch. Large smoked brown transparent plastic head cover. Main section of body pulls of to reveal access to batteries.

1932 Sirama Germany Made by Siemens (SiRaMa = Siemens Rasiermachine) Example of electrically operated wet razor as intermediate stage between safety razor and mains electric dry shaver (see Schick). 4.5 volt battery powers electric motor in handle which oscillates conventional safety razor blade. chrome plated razor body, dark blue leatherette case, maroon phenol plastic battery case. Other types of non-mains electric wet razor include the US Vibroshave and French Klaro. Click here for complete ensemble and here in case. Click here to see set up with wall holder and battery pack. Click here for Art Deco case type. Click here for page from the user instructions.
c1950 Rosse & Affolter Unic Switzerland Cigar-shaped battery razor in cream urea plastic; top half contains motor, bottom half (faceted) for unscrews for access to battery. Black slide switch, rotary cutter and foil head. Dark red paper/card case, later versions in black plastic case. Produced c1950-c1965. Small cream urea plastic cover later replaced by half-height cover with grips added to razor body. Click for pages 1 2 of user instructions.
1952 Philips Philishave/Noerelco model 7750 The Netherlands First battery Philishave: body based on Philips model 7748 in maroon urea plastic body Chromium plated cutting head cover. Luxuriously packaged in large leather oval zip-up case with tartan lining. Large separate 3 - 6volt battery pack in maroon stove-enamelled steel with chromuim plated steel mirror and stand, doubles as shaving mirror. Shaver plugs into battery pack or car lighter socket via separate convertor. Small maroon cleaning brush. Leather cord band with press-stud. Click here for complete package Click here for case open
1958 Philips Philishave Sportsman model 7779 The Netherlands Updated battery Philishave: body based on Philips model 7918 in two-tone grey/white urea plastic body Chromium plated cutting head cover. Large separate 3 - 6volt battery pack in grey/fawn plastic with inset glass mirror and stand, doubles as shaving mirror. Shaver plugs into battery pack or car lighter socket via separate convertor. Click here for complete package Click here for box graphics.
c1960 Pifco Holiday model 1129 Switzerland Triangular design resembling a perfume/after-shave bottle in white melamine plastic with grey details. Clip-release base for large transverse battery. Rotary cutter and foil head with small grey polythene cover. In Consumer's Association 'Which' report on razors, 12/63.
1963 Millward Courier UK New product by Needle Industries reflecting company's precision engineering. Elegant and beautifully made in white nylon plastic. Designed by Kenneth Grange (Kenwood Chef, Inter-City trains, etc.) and won Duke of Edinburgh Award for design. Extensive review in Design June 1963.Rotary cutter in cast-alloy head with integral trim attachment. Not a commercial success but copied by others. Click here for complete ensemble and packaging graphics. Click here for a page from the user instructions.
1963 Philips Philishave model 7970 The Netherlands First Philips razor with built-in batteries. White plastic case with beige battery cover. Known as 'the Penguin'. Twin-rotary cutting head, push-button release for cleaning/replacement and clear plastic cover. Dark blue vinyl zip-up case with red felt trim and pull-down panel revealing mirror.
1967 Philips Philishave model HP1203 The Netherlands Revised version of 'penguin' Philips razor with built-in batteries. White plastic case with dark grey battery cover. Twin-rotary cutting head, push-button release for cleaning/replacement and clear plastic cover. Pull-up battery access wire. Dark grey flip-open hard case with built-in mirror. Flat cleaning brush with clear plastic sliding cover. Click here for the packaging. Click here and here for instructions leaflet.
1969 Philips Philishave model HP1213 The Netherlands Replacement for 'penguin' Philishave razor with built-in batteries. Dark grey-aubergine body with push-button flip top, on-off switch. Large smoked brown transparent plastic head cover. Main section of body pulls of to reveal access to batteries.