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Tim Harford introduces inventions, ideas and innovations that have helped to create the modern economic world. King Camp Gillette invented the disposable razor and two-part pricing.

King Camp Gillette came up with an idea which has helped shape the modern economy. He invented the disposable razor blade. But, perhaps more significantly, he invented the two-part pricing model which works by imposing what economists call "switching costs". If you've ever bought replacement cartridges for an inkjet printer you experienced both when you discovered that they cost almost as much as the printer itself. It's also known as the "razor and blades" model because that's where it first drew attention, thanks to King Camp Gillette. Attract people with a cheap razor, then repeatedly charge them for expensive replacement blades. As Tim Harford explains, it's an idea which has been remarkably influential.

Producer: Ben Crighton
Editors: Richard Knight and Richard Vadon.

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9 minutes

Last on

Tue 20 Jun 2017 12:04

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  • Tue 20 Jun 2017 12:04

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