Nikola Bizumić facts for kids

Nikola Bizumić (1823–1906) was a Serbian inventor and entrepreneur. He is best known for having invented the hand-held hair clipper.

Biography

Nikola Bizumić was born in 1823 in Neradin, Austrian Empire. He received education in his hometown, Bizumić, and lived the life of a rural peasant by breeding pigs. He then decided to seek training in the barber trade in Irig. 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, where he met barber Petar Javonovic and became his apprentice.

In 1855, Bizumić, left the Austrian Empire for London. There he managed to secure financial backing from investors who recognised the value of his invention. Production started and his product quickly gained recognition, ultimately being exported throughout Europe.

By 1865, barbershops across the continent had widely adopted Bizumić's device. 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. Bizumić died in 1906 with an estate valued at 22 million pounds.

See also

• Wahl Clipper
• Flowbee
• Regular haircut