The Philishave shaver was invented by Philips engineer
Alexandre Horowitz, who used rotating cutters instead of the
reciprocating cutters that had been used in previous electric shavers. The shaver was introduced in 1939, though initial production was limited due to the outbreak of
World War II (the production facility in
Eindhoven, the Netherlands, was overrun by the German Army in 1940). After the war, a slightly improved version of the cigar-shaped single-head shaver was introduced. A more
ergonomic egg-shaped single-head model was introduced in 1948 and was designed by US industrial designer
Raymond Loewy. Global sales increased markedly after a double-head model was introduced in 1951. In 1952, production of shavers shifted from Eindhoven to a new production facility in
Drachten, the Netherlands. A triple-head model was test marketed in Australia and New Zealand in 1956, but would not be introduced globally until 1966. In 1980, Philips introduced the
Lift & Cut Philishave shaver, invented by Eduard W. Tietjens, with lifters which pull whiskers slightly before cutting, allowing for closer shaves. The brand name Philishave was phased out in 2006 so shavers now bear only the Philips name. Philips is now co-branding their shavers sold in the US as "Philips Norelco" in preparation of a phase-out of the
Norelco name. Philips have celebrated their 80th anniversary in the electric shaver business by marketing special 'Heritage Edition' shaver models reviving the Philishave brand. ==Models and parts==