A Brief History On the Barber Profession
March 9th, 2008Today, there are more than 63,000 barbers in the United States. The word “barber” comes from the Latin word “barba”, which means beard. In ancient Egypt, many centuries before Christ, barbers were prosperous and highly respected members of society.
Ancient monuments and papyrus show that the Egyptians shaved their beards and their heads. The Egyptian priests were said to have even shaved their entire bodies every third day.
The Bible gives the example that when Joseph was called to appear before Pharaoh, one of the first things that he did was to shave his face so as not to offend Pharaoh with an unshaven face.
Barbers in the Ancient World
In ancient Greece, barbers became leading citizens by elevating beard trimming into an art form. Statesmen, poets, and philosophers went to the shops of these barbers to have their hair cut, and their beards trimmed, curled and sometimes scented, with costly essences.
Barbershops in ancient Greece were the headquarters for social, political, and sporting news, just as they are today.
Barbers were so highly prized in early Rome that a statute was erected to the memory of the first barber of Rome. The tools of early barbers were often made of flint and oyster shells that were fashioned to make razors.
The Dark Ages
During the period known as the Dark Ages, barbers went from just trimming and cutting hair, to assisting priests and monks in performing surgeries and “bloodletting”. Barbers were soon taking up the full duties of surgeons, doctors, and then dentists.
Around 1416, it became apparent that the many duties that barbers had taken upon themselves were beginning to take a toll on the quality of the service that they were offering. They had become barber, surgeon, doctor, and dentist.
People began to complain that the barber-surgeons were actually making them sick instead of well. Various ordinances were then passed to force barbers to practice only in their profession. This left the doctors, surgeons, and dentists the opportunity to specialize in their areas without competition from barbers.
Late 18th and Early 19th Centuries
The 18th and part of the 19th century saw a decline of barbering as a profession. This was due in part because wigs became the fashion and many barbers became wigmakers. In England, America, and in most of the civilized world, the decline of the barber was a terrible sight to witness.
Late 19th Century
However, in the late 19th century events started taking place that started an upward trend in the barber profession.
In 1893 A.B. Moler established a school for barbers that was the first institution of its kind in the world. His school became so successful that branches were rapidly established in nearly every major city of the United States.
20th Century
Around 1920 efforts were then made to professionalize the industry by adding scientific knowledge to the treatment of hair, skin and scalp. Barbers soon began to be looked up to again, taking their place along side that of dentists, chiropractors, and other like professions.
Today’s Barbers
Today’s barbers serve as style consultants, counselors, neighborhood celebrities, mentors, advisors, community reporters, and a host of other functions.
Community Meeting Halls
Just like the days of old, barber shops are places where men can catch up on the latest news and happenings. They can talk sports, politics, family, and whatever else is relevant to their lives.
No more unisex salons. Men want the camaraderie and fellowship of the barber shop, and barbers are very happy to oblige.