Oral-B
Oral-B is a brand of oral hygiene products, including toothbrushes, toothpastes, mouthwashes and dental floss.
History
Dr. Robert W. Hutson (1920–2001), a California periodontist, designed and patented a toothbrush in 1950. The application for his "Hutson toothbrush" was filed on January 13, 1950, and U.S. Patent No. 160,604 was granted on October 24 the same year. In 1958, he was granted a new patent for a "mouthbrush" having numerous fine, soft, flat-ended nylon bristles, and a similar appearance to the 1950 design. He claimed in his application that this brush was less abrasive to tooth enamel, better for massaging the gums, and more effective at picking up tooth powder than other brushes available at the time, which had coarse, angle-cut bristles.
He also created the Oral-B brand name. The first product was known as the "Oral-B 60", because it had 60 tufts. Other sizes were made with differing numbers of tufts and corresponding names.
Dr. Hutson sold his toothbrush business in the 1960s, and continued his San Jose periodontal practice.