Wisdom, the well-known toothbrush maker has been around 225 years. It was founded by William Addis, the recognised inventor of the toothbrush. Since then, the company has been at the forefront of innovation and development of the toothbrush and associated products.
The first production of the toothbrush by Addis for his own personal use took place in Whitechapel in East London in 1780. Sixty years later the company was employing 60 staff. The toothbrushes themselves were at that time made from bone or ivory while the brush itself was made from hair or bristle. Interestingly, the average price was 2 1/2 pence.
By 1926, Wisdom was manufacturing around 1.8 million brushes with the first plastic (celluloid) handles being produced in 1927. Mass production allowed greater access to toothbrushes through outlets such as Woolworths.
By 2005, the merits of flossing teeth caught on. Wisdom took on board this new challenge. It continues to take on new oral health ideas.