Ellen Coates

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Evolution 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)

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

EuropeRags and sponges were dipped in sulfur oil or salt solution

Sticks were attached to help reach

(www.asme.org)

1780

First toothbrushWilliam Addis of Clerkenwall,

EnglandHairs of a cow tail were attached

to the same cow’s thighbone(www.asme.org)

1918

World War 1Soup industries called for cow

parts being used in toothbrushesCelluloid handles were created by pouring plastic into mold

(www.asme.org)

1920’s

New method of attaching bristlesDrill hole in brush headForce in many bristlesSecure with staple

Easier to manufacture(www.oralb.com)

1938

Nylon 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)

1963

First electric toothbrushGerman engineer Max BraunCopied movements of manual

toothbrushNot common until the 1970’s

(www.oralb.com)

Effects on Society/EnvironmentCleaner teeth

Healthier 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)

Summary

Evolution 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