Ellen Coates
PreviewEvolution of the toothbrushTimelineChanges in designEffects on our society and the
environment
Timeline
3500 B.C.Concern of teeth
1600 B.C.Chewing sticks
1498First bristles
1780First toothbrush
1920’sBristles
1600’sToothpaste
1938Nylon Filament
1918Celluloid handles
1963Electric
3500 B.C.Babylonians chewed on sticksHelped to clean teeth and mouthMentioned in Greek and Roman
literature(www.toothbrushexpress.com)
1600 B.C.“Chewing sticks” were usedChewing sticks had two sides--one
was chewed on and the other was pointy to pick at teeth
Sticks were about the size of a pencilTwigs could freshen the mouthFound in Chinese literature(www.toothbrushexpress.com)
1498First bristles were invented in
ChinaCoarse hairs were taken from the
back of a hog’s neckBristles were attached to bone or bamboo
(www.loc.gov)
1600EuropeRags and sponges were dipped in sulfur oil or salt solution
Sticks were attached to help reach
(www.asme.org)
1780First toothbrushWilliam Addis of Clerkenwall,
EnglandHairs of a cow tail were attached
to the same cow’s thighbone(www.asme.org)
1918World War 1Soup industries called for cow
parts being used in toothbrushesCelluloid handles were created by pouring plastic into mold
(www.asme.org)
1920’sNew method of attaching bristles
Drill hole in brush headForce in many bristlesSecure with staple
Easier to manufacture(www.oralb.com)
1938Nylon filament developed in 1938Chinese boar hair was favored
bristle materialWorld War 2 stopped export of
hair into the United StatesNylon replaced boar hair
(www.asme.org)
1963First electric toothbrushGerman engineer Max BraunCopied movements of manual
toothbrushNot common until the 1970’s
(www.oralb.com)
Effects on Society/Environment
Cleaner teethHealthier mouthLess pain and aches
AffordableEveryone has chance to brush teethReplaceable
Nylon hair and celluloid handleLess cow slaughteringReduction in production costs, making it
affordable(www.asme.org)
SummaryEvolution of the toothbrushTimelineChanges in designEffects on our society and the
environment
ReferencesThe 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/march2001/toothbrush.html
ToothbrushExpress.com (2005). Electronic Reference: ToothbrushExpress.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
