Product Design Evolution Student Exemplar © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.Introduction to Engineering Design

Evolution of a Product Design Who? What? When? Where? Why? © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Evolution of a Product Design Who? What? When? Where? Why?

A Product’s Lifecycle of Change: Consumer Designer Manufacturer © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Student Exemplar This presentation is a student exemplar. © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

“MIT Invention Index at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology asked which of five inventions Americans could not live without.” “The toothbrush emerged as the undisputed champ, beating out the car, the personal computer, the cell phone, and the microwave, in that order, as the most prized innovation.” Example Product Evolution © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Some records indicate a version of the toothbrush that dates back as far as 5000 years ago. Babylonians rubbed a “chew stick” on their teeth and mouth to keep them clean. The First Toothbrush © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

In 1498 a bristle toothbrush was created in China. The bristles were actually the stiff, coarse hairs taken from the back of a hog's neck and were attached to handles made of bone or bamboo. The Bristle Toothbrush © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

The first American to patent a toothbrush was H.N. Wadsworth in the 1850s. Companies in the US started mass- producing the toothbrush around Most Americans did not brush their teeth until Army soldiers in World War II were taught the habit of tooth brushing and brought their enforced habit back home after the war. American Contributions © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Natural bristles were used in toothbrushes until nylon was discovered. In 1938, nylon, invented by DuPont, replaced the natural bristle. One of the first nylon toothbrushes to commercialize the industry was called Doctor West’s Miracle toothbrush. Nylon Bristles © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

In 1960 the first commercialized electric toothbrush was marketed in the United States. The technology was developed in Switzerland in The Broxodent was marketed by the Squibb company. Electric Toothbrush © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Electric Toothbrush Sonicare™ The Broxodent shown above was marketed by the Squibb company. © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

The past 100 years have seen many innovations to the toothbrush such as ergonomic handles, spinning heads, and improved bristle configurations. A pioneer in this transformation was Dr. Robert Hutson, a periodontist from San Jose, California. Hutson invented the first toothbrush with soft end-rounded nylon bristles. He named the product Oral-B. Ergonomic Design © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Ergonomic Design vs. © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Toothbrush designs are now starting to include electronics. The Radius ® toothbrush has a built-in timer that blinks light or plays music to let you know how long to brush. Radius ® Electronic Advancements © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

References Oral B. Oral B history. Retrieved from © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

History of a Product When do changes take place? Where do these changes come from? What advantages and disadvantages are associated with these changes? Room Key © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

A Product’s Changing Lifecycle Concept or redesign Change in “needs” Research New materials and/or technology Sketching and development Manufacture Test Market and distribution Feedback Consumer Designer Manufacturer © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.