Introduction:
“The 2003 Lemelson-MIT Invention Index, an annual survey of Americans’
perceptions about inventing and innovating, uncovered that technologically
advanced items such as personal computers, cell phones and microwave ovens
significantly lag in importance behind the toothbrush, which was developed in the
15th century.” This survey shows that above all other technologies, in 2003 the toothbrush was
voted the number one thing most American people couldn’t live without. Why in such a digital and technologically advanced world does something as simple as the toothbrush hold such great importance to people? Computers allow for fast storage and access to information over the web, microwaves have transformed meals in the US and have triggered a fast-food type revolution, mobile phones allow for communication between people anywhere and at anytime, yet the toothbrush, which has remained fairly unchanged over the past 60 years is still a technology our society relies on most.
The toothbrush is a necessary device for humans in the maintaining of healthy, straight and therefore attractive teeth. The device has been in use for centuries in some form or another, but over the last century it's innovation has completely transformed society. The toothbrush has provided a market for hundreds of dental inventions aimed at tooth conscious brushers wishing to improve their smiles and it has also created the entire medical profession of dentistry and orthondonture. Our project focuses on the evolution of the toothbrush, the human relationship with the toothbrush throughout life, the manufacturing of the toothbrush, it's continued effectiveness and finally its many cultural implications. The toothbrush has improved and affected dental health, the perception of beauty and created an entire industry. You would be hard pressed to find an American or any citizen of a modern society that did not own and regularly use a toothbrush. Although brushing our teeth has been ingrained in our daily life since infancy, let's take a moment to marvel at the simple (or in some cases not so simple!) device that has changed our lives and society in such a tremendous way!
perceptions about inventing and innovating, uncovered that technologically
advanced items such as personal computers, cell phones and microwave ovens
significantly lag in importance behind the toothbrush, which was developed in the
15th century.” This survey shows that above all other technologies, in 2003 the toothbrush was
voted the number one thing most American people couldn’t live without. Why in such a digital and technologically advanced world does something as simple as the toothbrush hold such great importance to people? Computers allow for fast storage and access to information over the web, microwaves have transformed meals in the US and have triggered a fast-food type revolution, mobile phones allow for communication between people anywhere and at anytime, yet the toothbrush, which has remained fairly unchanged over the past 60 years is still a technology our society relies on most.
The toothbrush is a necessary device for humans in the maintaining of healthy, straight and therefore attractive teeth. The device has been in use for centuries in some form or another, but over the last century it's innovation has completely transformed society. The toothbrush has provided a market for hundreds of dental inventions aimed at tooth conscious brushers wishing to improve their smiles and it has also created the entire medical profession of dentistry and orthondonture. Our project focuses on the evolution of the toothbrush, the human relationship with the toothbrush throughout life, the manufacturing of the toothbrush, it's continued effectiveness and finally its many cultural implications. The toothbrush has improved and affected dental health, the perception of beauty and created an entire industry. You would be hard pressed to find an American or any citizen of a modern society that did not own and regularly use a toothbrush. Although brushing our teeth has been ingrained in our daily life since infancy, let's take a moment to marvel at the simple (or in some cases not so simple!) device that has changed our lives and society in such a tremendous way!