15 Interesting Barber Facts That You Probably Didn't Know About

A barber is one who basically trims, styles, grooms, and shave men's and boys' hair and beards.

Barbershops have been well-known institutions in ancient Greece and Rome, and they served as a hub for gossip and discussion. The history of barbers is rich and dates back to early 3500 BC.

Hairstyles and fashion throughout Europe vary according to the kings' preferences. Barbers had to improve their skills with the current styles in order to keep the people in the kingdom up to date.

Role Of Barbers

Read on to read the role of the barbers.

Working responsibilities of a barber include hair cutting, shaving a beard, coloring, and hairdressing according to the client's instructions, fitting and grooming hairpieces, and billing them.

To be a good barber, you must be able to provide clients with high-quality facial hair grooming services.

Finally, a top-notch barber should stay up to date with the latest haircuts and trends.

The famous barber pole, which we still see today, dates from a time when barbers were expected to perform 'bloodletting' in order to treat people by removing ailments from their bodies. The red represents blood, blue as veins, and white as bandages.

Barbers were previously surgeons who cut flesh and gave haircuts before the 1800s.

In the early 1900s, the term 'chirotonsor' was coined as a substitute for the barber.

Importance Of Barbers

Keep reading to learn about the importance of barbers.

Barbershops have always been more than just a location for guys to have their hair cut, it also serves as a place for them to socialize and to interact and meet like-minded individuals.

In 1880, the average shop cost $20 to equip. 

It was around 10 x 12 ft (3 x 3.6 m) in size. At that time a hair cut cost 5-10 cents while shaving cost three cents.

At the barbershop, men would also play board games, discuss current events, farm business, and gossip.

Most contemporary barbershops contain specialized barber chairs and hair-rinsing and washing equipment.

Barbering is the fastest growing industry as the number of licensed barbers has increased by around 10%, from 225,000 to 245,000 in the last few years.

History Of Barbers

Egyptians provided the earliest barbering services in about 5000 BC, using equipment manufactured from oyster shells or sharpened flint.

Barbers have been documented as early as priests and men of medicine.

Modern safety blades have replaced the traditional razors that needed to be sharpened every few days. These blades offered a safe alternative to shaving with a straight razor, which needed a great deal of practice to master.

It is one of the world's oldest professions. There is tomb artwork from ancient Egypt depicting a barber cutting hair, with razors relics dating back over 6,000 years.

Truefitt and Hill in London, founded in 1805, is the world's oldest surviving barbershop. It currently has stores in Azerbaijan, Canada, South Korea, India, Thailand, Singapore, the United States, and Malaysia, where it provides professional haircuts and other grooming services.

Education And Skills To Become A Barber

Before enrolling in a trade school or attaining a certification, most barbers have a GED or high school graduation.

Barbers must undergo programs ranging from nine months to two years to become certified as a cosmetologist.

In the late 18th century the first barber school was opened in Chicago, IL.

According to the National Barber Museum, the business was originally dominated by men, but today, nearly half of all barbers are female.

Barber students are taught anatomy, physiology, bacteriology, and a minor amount of pharmacology. It also teaches you how to shave a beard, covering both classic and modern shaves.

Barbers now have the opportunity to try out new techniques thanks to technological advancements.

Barbers must also keep on top of their game to satisfy clients, resulting in beautiful outcomes that have increased the level of barbering across the world.

People began to follow the fashion trends of celebrities and Hollywood stars, and barbershops began to display posters of renowned actors and actresses on their walls as a manner of advertising their businesses.

FAQs

Q: Who is the most famous barber?

A: It's Ambroise Paré, a Frenchman who worked for a number of kings.

Q: Who invented barbering?

A: It is unknown who invented it but it has a long history dating back to ancient Egypt.

Q: How much do barber chairs cost?

A: These chairs may cost anywhere between $100 and $700, or even more.

Q: Is a barber also a hairdresser?

A: Hairdressers help in styling hair long or short, while a barber is usually associated with cutting hair.

Q: Where did the term barber come from?

A: 'Barber' is derived from the Latin word 'barba', which means 'beard'.

Q: What is the history of barbering?

 A: The earliest barbering services prevailed in Egypt during 5000 BC, using equipment crafted from oyster shells and sharpened flint. Greek colonies introduced it in 296 BC in Sicily.