William Emery Nickerson (November 5, 1853 – June 5, 1930) was an American engineer and inventor. He worked with King C. Gillette at the start of the Gillette Company and was later elected to Gillette's board of directors. Nickerson has been called “the mechanical genius behind the safety razor,” and received patents for hardening and sharpening the blades.Nickerson, William E. "Abrading machine" U.S. patent no. 793,604 (filed: 19 March 1902 ; issued: 27 June 1905).Nickerson, William E., "Method of hardening" U.S. patent no. 812,442 (filed: 26 September 1903 ; issued: 13 February 1906).
