Ellen Coates Preview Evolution of the toothbrush Timeline

Ellen Coates

Preview Evolution of the toothbrush Timeline Changes in design Effects on our society and the environment

Timeline 3500 B. C. Concern of teeth 1498 First bristles 1600 B. C. Chewing sticks 1780 First toothbrush 1600’s Toothpaste 1920’s Bristles 1918 Celluloid handles 1963 Electric 1938 Nylon Filament

3500 B. C. Babylonians chewed on sticks Helped to clean teeth and mouth Mentioned in Greek and Roman literature (www. toothbrushexpress. com)

1600 B. C. “Chewing sticks” were used Chewing sticks had two sides--one was chewed on and the other was pointy to pick at teeth Sticks were about the size of a pencil Twigs could freshen the mouth Found in Chinese literature (www. toothbrushexpress. com)

1498 First bristles were invented in China Coarse hairs were taken from the back of a hog’s neck Bristles were attached to bone or bamboo (www. loc. gov)

1600 Europe Rags and sponges were dipped in sulfur oil or salt solution Sticks were attached to help reach (www. asme. org)

1780 First toothbrush William Addis of Clerkenwall, England Hairs of a cow tail were attached to the same cow’s thighbone (www. asme. org)

1918 World War 1 Soup industries called for cow parts being used in toothbrushes Celluloid handles were created by pouring plastic into mold (www. asme. org)

1920’s New method of attaching bristles Drill hole in brush head Force in many bristles Secure with staple Easier to manufacture (www. oralb. com)

1938 Nylon filament developed in 1938 Chinese boar hair was favored bristle material World War 2 stopped export of hair into the United States Nylon replaced boar hair (www. asme. org)

1963 First electric toothbrush German engineer Max Braun Copied movements of manual toothbrush Not common until the 1970’s (www. oralb. com)

Effects on Society/Environment Cleaner teeth Healthier mouth Less pain and aches Affordable Everyone has chance to brush teeth Replaceable Nylon hair and celluloid handle Less cow slaughtering Reduction in production costs, making it affordable (www. asme. org)

Summary Evolution of the toothbrush Timeline Changes in design Effects on our society and the environment

References The Library of Congress (2004). Electronic Reference: The Library of Congress. Retrieved Aug. 31, 2005 from http: //loc. gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/tooth. html The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2001). Electronic Reference: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Retrieved Aug. 31, 2005 from http: //asme. org/mechanicaladvantage/march 2001/tooth brush. html Toothbrush. Express. com (2005). Electronic Reference: Toothbrush. Express. com. Retrieved Aug. 31, 2005 from http: //toothbrushexpress. com/html/toothbrush_history. h tml Oral-B (2004). Electronic Reference: Oral-B. Retrieved Aug. 31, 2005 from http: //www. oralb. com/aboutus/history. asp