Growing a Beard: The History and Philosophies Behind the Current Trend

David Letterman and Conan O'Brien's Beards Might Mean More Than We Think

It's nothing unusual for the military to make sure soldiers are clean-shaven. Even today, beards aren't really acceptable in the military -- especially during war and because the face needs to be clear for face gear of various kinds. Of course, we see pictures of our troops in Iraq wearing the usual week-old stubble when out in the field fighting as emblematic of the award-winning photos going back to World War I and II.

It's interesting to note, however, that World War I stopped a trend in facial hair that had been going on in America since the time of Lincoln who helped carve (no shaving gaff analogy intended) the role of beard popularity here in America for the first time. In the age of having to wear a gas mask -- all WWI soldiers were ordered to shave. When the modern electric razor began to be promoted not long after from a more compelling Madison Avenue -- shaving became the ultra chic thing to do for a man.

Now you can explain to those still uninitiated to 20th century history why everyone looked so clean-cut just prior to the wild revolution that took place in America of the 1960's and changed everything about the acceptability of facial hair that lasts to this day. It's also probably the singularly widest leap from being clean-cut (the 1920's, 30's, 40's, 50's and early 60's may be the greatest age in world history for slicked-down hair and baby cheek faces) to one of looking like they should be working as a spiritual leader in India. For those who lived through the 60's (I didn't) and still remember it and their Hippie Movement: Remember, a lot of your philosophies came from India and their mastery of beard-laden transcendental meditation.

The mysterious role of growing a beard in Hollywood...

Yes, you knew Hollywood has always been in its own little bubble. When it comes to actors working in movies -- growing beards has always been something they've had to do for a particular part they're playing. Even so, from the 1920's through the 1950's, actors would generally use glue-on fake beards so they wouldn't have to be seen at major media events sporting a real giant beard. Some people in the industry today might consider that blasphemous if you don't grow a real beard for a movie part -- and some current actors scoff at the notion actors from yesteryear weren't allowed to grow real ones. Outside of that common trend, though, it seems that other people who worked in Hollywood (i.e. directors and any other creative types not always seen in front of a camera) would have a trend of growing beards when on extended breaks.