PRINTLeeches and razors
The history of the job, and who you should use
February 11, 2010 | 12:00 a.m. CST
A brief history of barbering
Barbering is truly an ancient profession. Primitive razors have been found from as far back as the Bronze Age, which began sometime around 2,000 B.C. Even ancient Egyptian artwork depicts men getting shaved, according to a British Broadcasting Corporation article “The Guide to Life, the Universe and Everything.” Many of these ancient barbers were also surgeons (clearly a good idea) who would let your blood if you came down with a spot of the black plague, close your wounds if you had some bad luck in a duel or pull out a rotten tooth because you didn’t have Crest in 900 A.D.
The classic red-, white- and blue-striped pole actually originated from the (great) decision to separate the professions of barber and surgeon. In 16th century England, the United Barber-Surgeons Company was formed, and the pole became a way to separate the two professions within the club, says the “The Guide.” Thankfully, this ended all conversations starting with “I’m just going to run to my barber to get some leeches.” The red- and white-striped pole was used to denote a surgeon’s shop while the blue- and white- striped pole denoted a barbershop.
Who should do your ’do?
Today the term “barber” means a person who specializes in cutting men’s hair in shorter styles, such as a flattop, fade or military cut, with more concentration on using clippers. Barbers are also taught how to shave a man’s face and trim a beard.
A stylist (technically a registered cosmetologist) traditionally cuts women’s hair and performs longer cuts and scissor work. More often than not, a stylist will be a little more up to pace with hairstyles of the day and is able to offer services such as coloring and perms. Barbers are taught how to chemically treat hair like cosmetologists, but they spend less time learning the subject, says Travis Ford at the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registrations, the organization that certifies Missouri’s barbers and cosmetologists. “Barbers are starting to fade out,” says local cosmetologist Mike Hill.
Is one better than the other? It really depends on your preference. Just ask yourself, “Whose haircut do I like more, Hank Hill’s or Ashton Kutcher’s?”
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