The toothbrush holder is found in nearly every home in America and rarely is given a second thought. Today, the toothbrush holder comes in many decorative designs, but they all serve the same purpose. Like so many day-to-day items, few people question where it came from, or which individual first thought of making it. Who was the first to build a toothbrush holder, and just when did he design it?
Time Frame
It is impossible to determine when the first toothbrush holder was actually constructed. What we can determine is when the first patent was filed. According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the first patent for the toothbrush holder was filed for in December 1922. Another device called a Sterilizing Holder was filed for one year earlier in 1921.
History
Immanuel G. Speidel applied for a U.S. patent on a toothbrush holder on December 16, 1922. The patent was issued in July 1925. Little is known about Speidel, other than he was a graduate of the University of Buffalo Department of Dentistry, class of 1914. Records indicate that Buffalo was also Speidel's hometown. The title on patent number 1544694 was simply "Toothbrush holder".
Features
The drawings for the original design show the device was intended to hold four toothbrushes. Looking much like two side-by-side boxes approximately 2 inches square, the holder mounted on the wall and had two slots in each box. The heads of the toothbrushes were protected inside the boxes and were secured in place by clips. A series of small holes in the bottom of the boxes allowed for drainage as well as air circulation for drying.
Function
The holder was designed with a front cover ,which would enclose the compartments containing the toothbrush heads. In this way, the heads were protected from dust and other elements. The front panels would open when the person retrieved a toothbrush, then would be pulled back into place by a spring.
Benefits
Speidel's purpose in designing the toothbrush holder was twofold. The holder would provide a convenient storage compartment for toothbrushes, and would do so at a low cost. As a dentist, Speidel's second design concept was to allow the toothbrushes to be protected and remain as sanitary as possible. Today's designs seem only interested in convenience and appearance--Speidel was concerned with health issues as well.
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