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