A history of reimagining personal care
Edgewell Personal Care was born in 2015, but our brands—and colleagues—have a long history of making the products that people love. Inspired by our focus on wellness, we built a portfolio of products that synthesizes our deep expertise. Our commitment to innovation keeps us on the leading edge of personal care.
This heritage of reimagining personal care began more than 125 years ago, when Wilkinson Sword developed the world’s first cutthroat razor. In 1910, Colonel Jacob Schick continued in this pioneering spirit by conceiving the electric shaver. And A.L. Spinel, already with 2000 patents to his name, introduced America to the girdle that built Playtex into an overnight success in 1932.
Over the next decades, our companies continued to experiment—from changing male grooming to designing space suits for NASA—but the century ended with a decade of firsts. Schick and Wilkinson Sword merged in 1992 to create a global leader in shaving. Playtex then introduced Banana Boat, Diaper Genie, and Wet Ones in 1994. And after ten years of innovative product launches, the two companies merged in 2007 to create a family of brands with a legacy of innovation and a mission of category reinvention.
Today, with our renewed focus, we’re more agile and responsive. We’re Edgewell—on the leading edge of personal care.
Brands with History
The seeds of our company were planted in 1772, when Henry Nock opened his first London Gun workshop. A century later, that small storefront business introduced the razor that would redefine shaving. Edgewell’s heritage is filled with milestones like this, so discover the people and events behind our rich heritage of personal care.
Brands with History
The seeds of our company were planted in 1772, when Henry Nock opened his first London Gun workshop. A century later, that small storefront business introduced the razor that would redefine shaving. Edgewell’s heritage is filled with milestones like this, so discover the people and events behind our rich heritage of personal care.
Timeline
1921
1927
1968
2003
2008
Jacob Schick invents the Magazine Repeating Razor
Jacob Schick develops the first dry electric shaver
Schick introduces the modern shaving edge (the Krona) by combining stainless steel blades with chromium hard coating
Schick creates the world’s first all-in-one shaving system, Intuition
Schick debuts the Quattro Titanium Trimmer, the first wet shave system with a powered trimmer
1772
1879
1898
1970
Henry Nock is appointed as official gun maker to King George III
Nock’s grandson, Henry Wilkinson, expands business into sword making, establishing “The Wilkinson Sword Co., LTD”
Wilkinson Sword introduces the Pall Mall Safety Razor, dramatically improving on the straight, or cutthroat, razor
Wilkinson Sword invents the world’s first user-replaceable razor “cartridge,” the predecessor to all modern cartridge-based systems
1981
1992
1993
2006
Robert Bell, at 13, formulates first lotion using baby oil, oranges, and bananas
Banana Boat launches first SPF 50 in the sun care category
Playtex completes acquisition of Banana Boat and its family of over 50 tanning and sun-protection products throughout North America
Banana Boat launches the industry’s first tear-free, sting-free lotion for children
1969
1975
2000
2006
2010
Ron Rice, a high school science teacher, formulates and bottles the first batch of Hawaiian Tropic in his home garage
Hawaiian Tropic introduces DSD (direct store delivery) services, still in use today
Hawaiian Tropic creates the industry’s highest available SPF—Ozone SPF 70
Hawaiian Tropic develops patented SunSure Technology, providing long-lasting and UVA-blocking photostable protection
Hawaiian Tropic launches new indulgent formulas and premium packaging
1932
1962
2006
2015
The International Laytex Company is founded, producing products like bathing suits and swimwear. It will later become known as International Playtex Inc.
Playtex revolutionizes an industry by creating the first plastic tampon applicator
Playtex Sport launches as the first brand to offer Sport Level Protection, and the only sub-brand with a unique tapered applicator
