In January 1880, Gillette's first full-length play, 'The Professor,' was advertised on the front page of the Hartford Courant.

William Painter, president of Crown Cork & Seal Co, encourages King C. Gillette to invent a disposable good.

On February 6, 1893, William Gillette's play “Ninety Days” premiered at the Broadway Theatre in New York City, leading to significant financial loss when it closed on March 18.

On December 16, 1893, Elisabeth Hooker Gillette, who was William Gillette's mother, passed away in Hartford.

On November 26, 1894, William Gillette performed in the play “Too Much Johnson” at the Standard Theatre in New York City, which he adapted from the French farce “La Plantation Thomassin.”

On May 13, 1895, Gillette's play “Secret Service” premiered at the Broad Street Theatre in Philadelphia, with Maurice Barrymore in a dual role, marking a significant moment in Gillette's career.

On October 5, 1896, “Secret Service” opened at the Garrick Theatre in New York City, with Gillette taking over the lead role from the ailing Maurice Barrymore.

On March 6, 1897, “Secret Service” closed in New York and moved to the Adelphi Theatre in London, England, expanding Gillette's theatrical reach.

On November 23, 1898, a fatal fire engulfed the Baldwin Hotel and Theater in San Francisco, destroying sets, costumes, and the only copy of the “Sherlock Holmes” script, prompting Gillette to reconstruct it from memory.

On May 20-21, 1899, William Gillette visited Arthur Conan Doyle’s home in Hindhead, Surrey, where he received approval for his revised version of “Sherlock Holmes,” solidifying his adaptation skills.

King C. Gillette files his first patent on his razor.

On October 23, 1899, “Sherlock Holmes” started its tryouts at the Star Theatre in Buffalo, New York, setting the stage for its successful run.

On November 6, 1899, “Sherlock Holmes” made its debut at the Garrick Theatre in New York City, commencing a sold-out run of 235 performances, marking a significant milestone in Gillette's career.

In 1900, King C. Gillette created the prototype of the disposable razor blade after realizing the inefficiency of traditional permanent razors. He envisioned a razor blade that was easily replaceable and affordable, leading to the birth of a revolutionary product.

The USA patent applied for in 1899 is granted to King Camp Gillette for his safety razor design.

King C. Gillette founded The American Safety Razor Company on September 28, 1901, after developing the concept of a safety razor that used disposable blades.

The company is renamed to Gillette, and the first machine producing fully machine-sharpened blades is introduced.

The capital stock of Gillette is increased from $500,000 to $650,000 to accommodate investment from John J. Joyce.

The board decides to sell each dozen blades for $1 and to include a dozen blades with each set.

French patent FR327815 is granted to Gillette for their safety razor design.

The company reports annual sales of 51 razor sets and 14 packs of 12 blades.

King Camp Gillette returns to the company after selling 4000 of his personal 9000 shares to former colleagues at Crown Cork for $80,000. He rejoins as vice-president and sells another 9000 shares.

The board sends a letter to stockholders asking them to return half of their stock to the treasury to be resold for at least 75 cents per share, but no shareholders respond.

A total of 9661 sets are shipped by the company in August 1904.

The company achieves annual sales of 91,000 razors and 10,000 dozen blades by the end of 1904.

Production starts in the new factory at 303 West First St, South Boston, with the machine shop remaining on Atlantic Ave.

The first Canadian factory is established at 34 St Antoine Street, Montreal, in April 1906.

Gillette Sales Co. advertises with new offices at 202 Times Building, New York, NY, in October 1906.

The public directory lists the Gillette Safety Razor Company with details of its location, incorporation, and key personnel.

On April 1, 1908, an article or piece related to Gillette was published in the Pittsburgh Press. This publication may have contributed to the company's publicity and reach.

In 1909, a new factory was opened in Leicester, England, marking further expansion of Gillette's manufacturing operations. The establishment of the factory in England contributed to the company's global presence.

In 1910, Gillette produced a print ad featuring baseball greats like Honus Wagner to promote the original Gillette Safety Razor, showcasing the brand's early association with top-tier sports and athletes.

On September 26, 1910, William Gillette's last significant play as a writer, 'Electricity,' premiered at the Park Theatre in Boston before moving to New York City's Lyceum Theatre.

In 1911, Gillette began producing Crisco, a shortening made of vegetable oils, diversifying its product range.

In 1912, William Gillette campaigned for former President Theodore Roosevelt, supporting the Bull Moose Party.

On October 20, 1914, William Gillette commenced an extended tour in Chicago with his modernization of Victorien Sardou's 'Diplomacy.'

In August 1915, a decision was made to cease production in Leicester due to challenges in obtaining labor and supplies. This strategic shift in operations marked a significant change in the company's manufacturing strategy.

In November 1915, William Gillette was honored by being elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, becoming the second playwright to receive this recognition.

In 1916, Essanay Studios released the silent film 'Sherlock Holmes,' starring William Gillette at the age of 63.

On February 5, 1917, William Gillette performed in Clare Kummer's play 'A Successful Calamity' at the Booth Theatre in New York.

On December 23, 1918, William Gillette starred in James Barrie's 'Dear Brutus,' sharing a significant scene with Helen Hayes during the early days of the play's run.

In January 1919, William E. Nickerson and King Camp Gillette published the Gillette Blade, a significant publication related to shaving and personal grooming.

In 1920, Gillette introduced a new and improved razor with more accurate blade angle, improved grip, and better opening and closing adjustments, marking a significant mechanical innovation for the company.

On November 21, 1921, Gillette's play “The Dream Maker” debuted at New York City's Empire Theatre, marking his final Broadway production.

On May 14, 1923, Gillette's final produced play, a short piece titled “Winnie and the Wolves,” was showcased at Philadelphia's Lyric Theatre.

At the age of 72, Gillette had a motorcycle accident on August 9, 1925, where he collided with an automobile, resulting in injuries to his head and knee.

In 1927, Harper & Brothers of New York released Gillette's novel, “The Astounding Crime on Torrington Road.”

Following the 1929 stock market crash, King Gillette's personal fortune was devastated, despite the continued existence of the Gillette Company as a subsidiary of Proctor & Gamble.

In October 1930, Gillette announced a merger with AutoStrop, where AutoStrop's owner, Henry Gaisman, gained controlling interest in Gillette after a settlement that involved the revelation of Gillette's overstated sales and profits.

During the Great Depression, Gillette faced tough competition in the domestic market, but managed to stay afloat with more than half of its earnings coming from foreign operations in 1935.

In 1937, Gillette's Berlin factory played a significant role by producing 40 percent of Germany's 900 million blades, maintaining a dominant market share in Germany.

In 1938, amidst the worst years of the Depression for Gillette, nearly all of the company's $2.9 million earnings came from outside the United States, showcasing the importance of overseas operations.

Starting in 1939, Gillette began significant advertising investments in sports events, which proved to be successful in boosting sales, especially after sponsoring the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports radio program that later moved to television.

During World War II, Gillette dedicated its razor and blade production to the U.S. military, providing millions of razors and blades to servicemen. The company also supported military intelligence efforts by producing specialized razor blades for secret agents.

In late 1943, the State of Connecticut, with assistance from the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association, acquires the Gillette estate for $30,000.

On October 7, 1944, Gillette's home and its surrounding property are made accessible to the public as Gillette Castle State Park.

In 1947, Gillette introduced the Gillette Super Speed razor along with the innovative Speed-pak blade dispenser, revolutionizing the shaving experience by ensuring safety and convenience.

In 1948, Gillette acquired The Toni Company, a home permanent kit manufacturer, marking the company's expansion into feminine products like shampoos and hair sprays.

By 1950, Gillette's share of the U.S. blade market had reached 50 percent, reflecting the company's successful post-war recovery and expansion.

In 1955, the first adjustable razor was produced, allowing for an adjustment of the blade to increase the closeness of the shave. This innovation revolutionized the shaving experience.

In 1957, Gillette introduced the first adjustable razor with three settings for light, medium, and heavy beards. This innovation aimed to improve the accuracy of the blade angle and the grip, as well as the opening and closing adjustments.

In 1960, Gillette introduced the Super Blue blade, the company's first coated blade, which was a significant improvement over previous razor blades. The new blade was coated with silicone, providing more comfortable and close shaves.

In 1962, Wilkinson Sword introduced a coated razor blade made from stainless steel that stayed sharp longer than Gillette's blades. Gillette managed to patent the method of producing coated stainless steel blades before Wilkinson, leading to royalties paid by Wilkinson to Gillette.

In August 1963, Gillette launched the Gillette Stainless blade, about a year after Wilkinson's stainless steel blades. This launch followed the success of the Super Blue blade and marked a shift in Gillette's blade manufacturing.

In early 1964, Norman C. Welsh and his colleagues at Gillette's Reading laboratories in England experimented with tandem blades and discovered the 'hysteresis effect', leading to the development of the Atra twin-blade system.

In 1965, Gillette launched the Techmatic razor, which was a significant advancement in razor technology. This razor featured automatic adjustments and represented a further step in the company's mechanical innovations.

In 1966, the Super Speed razor was redesigned with a black resin coated metal handle. This version remained in production until 1988, offering a new design and shaving experience.

In the fall of 1971, Gillette announced the first twin-blade razor, Trac II, which captured the premium shaving market and competed against Wilkinson Sword's Bonded Blade system.

In 1972, Gillette produced the Trac II®, which was the first twin-blade shaving system.

In 1974, Société Bic introduced the world's first disposable razor, which was later followed by Gillette's development of their own disposable razor, Good News, in 1976.

In 1976, Gillette introduced the Good News disposable razor, molded into a blue plastic handle, establishing market leadership in the disposable razor segment.

In 1977, Gillette introduced the Atra/Contour system, the first twin-blade shaving cartridge with a pivoting head for a closer shave.

After Ayatollah Khomeini rose to power in the Iranian Revolution of 1979, American businesses like Gillette were targeted as enemies of the new government, leading to the abandonment of Gillette's Iranian manufacturing plant.

In 1980, Gillette introduced the Atra razor, known as Contour in Europe. It was a twin-blade razor with a pivoting head that became a best-seller in the United States and eventually a market leader in Europe.

In 1984, Gillette agreed to acquire Oral-B Laboratories from Cooper Laboratories for $188.5 million in cash. This acquisition expanded Gillette's presence in the dental care market.

In 1985, Gillette launched the Atra Plus®/Contour Plus, the first razor with a lubricating strip.

In 1986, Ronald Perelman offered to purchase 86.1 percent of Gillette for $3.8 billion, valuing the company at $4.1 billion. Gillette also bought back Revlon's stake in the company for $558 million.

In 1988, Coniston Partners acquired approximately 6 percent of Gillette and attempted to pressure the company to sell. This led to a proxy vote and legal battles between the two parties.

In 1989, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway purchased $600 million worth of Gillette convertible preferred shares. Buffett also joined Gillette's board, reducing the likelihood of a takeover.

During late 1989 and early 1990, Gillette launched the Sensor razor with a major marketing campaign in multiple countries. This product aimed to revolutionize the shaving experience.

In 1998, Gillette introduced the Mach3 razor, featuring the first 3-blade technology. The innovative design allowed for a closer shave with less pressure and fewer strokes, reducing skin irritation. Even after 21 years, the Mach3 remains a staple in Gillette's product line.

In 2000, Gillette's board fired CEO Michael Hawley, who was then replaced by former Nabisco CEO James M. Kilts in early 2001.

Since 2002, Gillette razor blades have been used as a non-standard measurement in laser research to estimate a laser beam's penetrative ability.

In 2003, Schick-Wilkinson Sword introduced the Quattro, a four-blade shaving system, which led to an increase in the company's market share to 17 percent. Gillette claimed patent infringement, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

In 2005, Procter & Gamble announced plans to acquire Gillette for over $50 billion, making P&G the world's largest consumer products company. The deal was approved by the Federal Trade Commission.

In 2006, Gillette launched the Fusion5™ razors, available in Manual and Power versions, featuring five blades and surpassing the MACH3 in performance, offering the closest and most comfortable shave.

In November 2009, Gillette faced a proposed boycott in Ireland due to its endorsement by French soccer player Thierry Henry, whose handball foul during a FIFA World Cup qualifying match led to France's victory over Ireland.

In 2010, P&G negotiated a 15-year extension for Gillette's naming rights to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, home of the New England Patriots, lasting through 2031.

In 2012, Gillette released the Gillette All-Purpose Styler, a waterproof beard trimmer capable of cutting four different lengths.

In 2014, Gillette unveiled the Fusion5™ ProGlide® with FlexBall™ Technology Razor, a pivoting razor designed to maximize contact with every contour of a man's face, marking a new advancement in shaving technology.

In 2015, Fusion5 was enhanced with the ProGlide featuring FlexBall technology, allowing the razor head to pivot for better skin contact around contours.

Gillette was fined by Autorité de la concurrence in France in 2016 for price fixing on personal hygiene products.

Gillette TREO is the first razor designed for caregivers to shave someone else, a unique innovation in the shaving industry.

Gillette SkinGuard is the first razor specifically made for men with sensitive skin and razor bumps, providing a protective shave to minimize irritation.

In January 2019, Gillette launched the marketing campaign 'The Best Men Can Be', aiming to promote positive values among men and condemn acts of bullying, sexism, and toxic masculinity.

In June 2019, Procter & Gamble wrote down Gillette business by $8 billion, attributing it to currency exchange, new competitors, and the rising popularity of beards.

In May 2020, Gillette released the King C. Gillette Beard Care Line, offering various beard care products named after the company's founder.

In February 2021, Gillette launched the Planet KIND Skincare Line, a sustainable shaving and skincare brand featuring recycled plastic razors and refillable blades.

In 2024, Gillette introduced the Gillette Subscription Service, offering customers a convenient way to receive razor blades on a regular basis.