Timeline

1734 

William Addis (1) Born

1780

William Addis develops a toothbrush for his personal use.

First production starts in Whitechapel, East London.

1796

Production moved to larger premises to cope with demand

1808 

William Addis (1) dies leaving the business to eldest son William (2)

Business moves to Bath Street, London.

1841 

60 Staff employed at Herbert Street, Hoxton.

Brushes hand produced from bone and ivory with hair or bristle filaments.

Average retail price of a toothbrush from 6d (2 ½ p each)

1869

First Addis toothbrush handle to be made by machine

1873

William Addis (2) dies leaving his business to his son William (3)

Addis producing 29 different brands of toothbrush.

1890 

William Addis (3) dies leaving his business to his three sons.

1893  

Robert Addis (1) commences production at the London Brush Works

1913 

Addis start exporting brushes all over the world. 84 people now employed.

1914

First World War

Addis supplies troops with toothbrushes creating a national ‘habit’ of teeth cleaning.

1919

Addis moves manufacturing to premises in Hertford.

1920 

Addis supplies Boots with a straight handle, good value toothbrush to retail at 1s (5p)

1923 

Addis produces miniature toothbrushes for Queen Mary’s dolls house

1926

Addis producing 1.8M brushes per year

1927

First plastic handles toothbrushes (Celluloid). Brushes filled with bristle mechanically

1928 

Volume sales of plastic handles increase to 1.8M

1930

Cheaper plastic toothbrushes become more accessible to the public through outlets such as Woolworths

1939 

Second World War

1,000,000 brushes supplied to the armed forces. 650 people employed.

First injection moulding machines purchased.

1940

First WISDOM toothbrush sold, the first ever toothbrush with NYLON filaments.

1945 

Manufacturing premises purchased in Haverhill, Suffolk.

1947

Last bone handled toothbrushes produced

1969 

First sales of Wisdom to grocery multiples

1996

Wisdom Toothbrushes Limited founded following buy-out of toothbrush business from the Addis family by management team.

1998 

Wisdom Toothbrushes Ltd acquired by Jordan Oral Care Group.

1999

Wisdom develops the fist toothbrush to incorporate Bioguard – Minty fresh antibacterial protection for your toothbrush

2004

Wisdom Click launched. The first manual toothbrush with patented feedback system to prevent over brushing

2005

Wisdom makes flossing easy with the launch of Wisdom Easy Floss

2006

Wisdom Clean Between launched. A brush specifically designed to clean further between teeth whilst being gentle on the gums

2007

Introduction of Wisdom Individual – Unique manufacturing technique allows for amazing choice of handle graphics.