Have you ever wondered about the history of barbershops? And how back in the day, Pharaohs would maintain their grooming?  Well, believe it or not, it all began 5000 years ago! Starting from the ancient times of Egypt, barbers held a high-status, as they were not only in charge of cutting hair but performing minor surgeries. Surprised?  So are we! Apart from performing surgeries, they were also responsible for crafting stylish wigs and fancy hair pieces for the royals. Their tools were different too. They would use sharpened flint and even oyster shells! Take a deep breath, as we are going to take a quick trip through history, to learn how barbers and barbershops evolved with the passing of time. Ready to discover more?

 When Was the First Barbershop Opened?

Before we get into details, here is a fun fact for you. The first barber shop was Truefitt & Hill which was established in 1805, recorded as the first barbershop in the world, as certified by Guiness Book of World Records. It was named after its founder William Francis Truefitt, who became the oldest barber in the world, ever recorded. But the barber's journey didn’t start there. As mentioned above, it started with Egyptian civilization, and since then they have never looked back.

Transforming High-class to Social Hubs 

After serving their time in Egypt as high-class barbers for Pharaohs and other noblemen, in the Roman and Greek period, barbershops turned into full blown social hubs. Men would gather to discuss popular political affairs and gossip. You could find every respectable Roman man, under the roof, with a clean shave, engaging in exciting discussions. While beards were appreciated, having a clean shave signified a higher status in the Roman Empire. Greeks on the other hand, had barbers as artists who held an exclusive privilege of sculpting beards, that spoke volumes about a man’s persona and status. Greeks were a big fan of beards and encouraged it in every way. Unlike Egyptian civilization, their tools upgraded to iron razors along with soothing ointment for shaves.

Middle Ages and Renaissance

Reaching the Middle Age - the importance of barbers rose to another level. In the Middle age, a barber’s role was not limited to haircuts only. Believe it or not, but they were now also performing surgeries and dental work on their clients. Soon after, barber shops were identified with a rotating pole that we see at almost every corner of the city today. The pole gained identity as a barber shop logo, as white represented barbering and red represented blood! In the Renaissance, we saw the focus shift towards grooming and less on surgeries.  To enhance their offerings, barbers decided to add baths and massages to their service card. This change allowed them to stand out and refine the grooming experience for their clients.

 The Golden Age for Barbershops

The 19th century had to be marked as the best era in the history of barber shops, as it proved to be their golden age. They gained immense popularity everywhere, as their image uplifted. The Golden era was all about hot towel shaves and luxurious grooming rituals. With big mirrors hanging on the wall and huge plush chairs placed in the barbershops, barbers were now recognized as reputable craftsmen. Such change also led to the opening of barber schools, allowing the skill to spread further ahead.

 Modernization in the 21st Century

In today’s time barbers are no longer struggling to maintain their place in the market. They are identified more than a craft man. Whether you choose a luxury men salon or an aesthetic neighborhood salon, such as BarbBros, you will find a variety of services that will make Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, jealous. Apart from offering typical beard grooming, and haircuts, they now offer facials, manicures, pedicures, Keratin and much more. Furthermore, to have a better reach to their audience,  the new and improved barbershops have adopted technological advancement such as online booking, and  in-home services. 

Keeping the nostalgic vibe alive, the barbershops have been enhanced with leather grooming chairs, and latest tools, such as digital clippers, electric shavers and straight razors. We, at BarbBros, ensure to offer high-quality services with all the latest equipment and tools as client satisfaction is our utmost priority. From high-quality grooming products to comfortable grooming chairs, to well-sanitized manicure pedicure stations, we welcome our clients with a positive attitude and a large smile. If you are looking for a barbershop that has expertise in fades, quick beard trims, and understanding of curly hair texture, then you should book a session with us today!