This excursion into American cultural history looks at the toothpaste and toothbrush industries from 1900 to 2008. During these years, America moved from cleaning their teeth mostly with homemade powders to using an enormous array of brands, often applied with an electric toothbrush. From early 20th century products like Forhan's (which "cured" pyorrhea) to the whiteners of the 1920s (which unfortunately also removed tooth enamel), and from paste that eliminated "that clinging film" and to copywriters who "wondered where the yellow went," the history of toothpaste has long been a testament to…mehr
This excursion into American cultural history looks at the toothpaste and toothbrush industries from 1900 to 2008. During these years, America moved from cleaning their teeth mostly with homemade powders to using an enormous array of brands, often applied with an electric toothbrush. From early 20th century products like Forhan's (which "cured" pyorrhea) to the whiteners of the 1920s (which unfortunately also removed tooth enamel), and from paste that eliminated "that clinging film" and to copywriters who "wondered where the yellow went," the history of toothpaste has long been a testament to the power of misleading advertising. Interrupting a steady flow of hyperbole was the one true wonder ingredient--fluoride, which enabled Crest to be for decades America's top-selling brand.
Cultural historian Kerry Segrave is the author of dozens of books on such diverse topics as drive-in theaters, ticket-scalping, lie detectors, jukeboxes, smoking and shoplifting. He lives in British Columbia.
Inhaltsangabe
Table of Contents Preface Introduction 1. From Ancient Times to 1899 2. Toothbrushes 1900-1945 3. Toothpaste 1900-1945 4. Toothpaste Advertising and Marketing 1900-1945 5. Toothpaste Advertising Challenged 1900-1945 6. Toothpaste 1946-1960 7. Toothpaste Advertising and Marketing 1946-1960 8. Toothpaste Advertising Challenged 1946-1960 9. Toothbrushes 1946-2008 10. Electric Toothbrushes 1940s-2008 11. Crest Toothpaste 1960-2008 12. Toothpaste New Wonders 1960-2008 13. Toothpaste General 1960-2008 14. Toothpaste Advertising and Marketing 1960-2008 15. Conclusion Chapter Notes Bibliography Index