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Motodent 1938
The first pre-second world war electric toothbrush from Motodent 1938. See how over the years we have gone full circle back to this design in modern brushes. -
Vibradent 1940's
Vibradent was the second electric toothbrush to appear on the commercial market costing $12.95 (approx £800 now a days). This device was plugged directly into the mains and warnings came with the instructions about not using the device near running water. We had a long way to go before electric toothbrushes became 100% safe. -
Period: to
Broxodent
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Broxodent 1959
Broxodent was the first post was successful commercial selling electric toothbrush to hit the US market. Plugged directly into the mains however the manufacturers assured us that the motor was "Sealed" for safet. Broxodents were sold well into the early 1980's. -
First Rechargeable models
Rechargeable models became available from 1960. The first rechrageable toothbrushes were effective but did not hold a charge for very long. To compete with Broxodent, General Electric produced their first rechargeable mobel which was much safer than the direct pug in version of Broxodent. -
Sears Rechargeable
Another 1960's rechargeable model from Sears. This black model is highly sought after amongst collectors. -
Presto! 1965
The Presto reachargeable toothbrush was the first brush to hold a charge for longer than 4 brushes. Its futuristic design and ease of use made this a popular seller throughout the 1960's -
Period: to
next development
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The 70'S
The 70's was a decade of big design and bright unco-ordinated colours. Electric toothbrushes were no exception. In order to attract childern to electric brushing, novelty brushes were made in favourite cartoon characters at that time. Here we have Bugs Bunny. -
Mickey Mouse
And Mickey Mouse with his Mouse Factory 1972. -
Orange and Brown
Orange and Brown were a common colour combination in product desin during the 70's, and here we have the ultimate 70's toothbrush. Dentalux Super. By now; toothbrushes that were plugged directly into the mains now had a step down converter, making the electrical input to the brush handle at a safer voltage of 12V. -
Period: to
80's Innovations
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80's Innovation
The Pifco Broxobrush was the latest innovation of the 1980s. Batteries were housed in the cabinet of the brush. The brush handle itself had an intenisty dial for variable brushing angles. Priced at £13.95 (Approx £60 now a days) this was a big seller purely to its innovative design. -
Boots The Chemist
Boots the Chemists own version of the Pifco Broxobrush at a slightly lower price of £9.95. -
90's
The 90's was the time electric toothbrushes started to be taken seriously by the dental professionals. BRAUN brought out its range of rechargeable products and over the decade developed into the brushes we now have today. All other companies with expetion of Broxodent (who are still producing for private sales) fell by the side and now the market is dominated by BRAUN Oral B and Philips. -
2000 and onwards
Electric toothbrushes are now commonplace in our consumer market and it took almost 5 decades to get there.
For a more insightful look into the history of electric brushing visit the Museum of the Electric Totthbrush. www.vintagetoothbrush.co.uk
