Nikola Bizumić
{{Short description|Serbian inventor (1823–1906)}}
Nikola Bizumić (1823–1906) was a Serbian inventor and entrepreneur known for having invented the hand-held hair clipper.{{cite web | last=Вукотић | first=Д. | title=Српски проналазачи "освојили" Русију | website=Politika Online | url=https://www.politika.rs/scc/clanak/38918/Srpski-pronalazaci-osvojili-Rusiju | language=sr}}
Biography
Nikola Bizumić was born in 1823 into a humble family in Neradin, Austrian Empire.{{cite web | last=Tasić | first=Biljana | title=Deset srpskih pronalazaka | website=Blic.rs | date=2015-11-28 | url=https://www.blic.rs/vesti/drustvo/deset-srpskih-pronalazaka/56hw0j0 | language=sr}} Following his education in his hometown, Bizumić sought further training in the barber trade in Irig.{{cite web | title=The fabulously wealthy British Serb who invented hair clippers | website=Britic | date=2023-01-11 | url=https://www.britic.co.uk/2023/01/11/the-british-serb-who-invented-the-fabulously-successful-hair-clippers}} To enhance the efficiency and speed of haircuts he came up with the idea of a machine but his employer failed to comprehend the potential of his invention, prompting Bizumić to quit his job and relocate to Ruma.{{cite web | last=Tuff | first=Rider | title=History of the Hair Clipper Patent | website=Timeless Patents | date=2023-01-17 | url=https://www.timelesspatents.com/blogs/patent-stories/history-of-the-hair-clipper-patent}}
In 1855, Bizumić, left the Austrian Empire for London and managed to secure financial backing from investors who recognised the value of his invention. Production started and his invention quickly gained recognition, ultimately being exported throughout Europe.
By 1865, barbershops across the continent had widely adopted Bizumić's device, transforming the haircutting experience. With the subsequent introduction of electric clippers, the use of manual hand clippers gradually declined. Bizumić became known in the United Kingdom under the name John Smith.{{cite web | title=A Serb who invented a hand-held razor – unrecognized in his midst – won a noble title in London | website=The Srpska Times | date=2019-12-04 | url=https://thesrpskatimes.com/a-serb-who-invented-a-hand-held-razor-unrecognized-in-his-midst-won-a-noble-title-in-london}} Bizumić died in 1906 with an estate valued at 22 million pounds.{{cite web | title=www.glas-javnosti.co.yu | website=Glas-Javnosti | date=2004-10-10 | url=http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2004/10/10/srpski/D04100901.shtml | language=sr}}
See also
References
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Category:Emigrants from the Austrian Empire