[1][2][3][4] Robert W. Hutson (1919–2001),[5][6] owner of a periodontal practice in San Jose,[6][7] began designing a toothbrush in the 1940s.

[6] By 1949, he discovered that thin, round-ended, nylon filaments would be gentle on the gums yet effective for cleaning teeth.

[8] In 1958, he was granted a utility patent for a "mouthbrush" having fine, soft, flat-ended nylon bristles, and a similar appearance to the 1950 design.

In order to create demand for new brushes, the sales team devoted almost all of their time to communicating with dentists, passing samples, and outreach work.

[16] Braun, also part of the Gillette group at that time, started to use the Oral-B brand for electric toothbrushes.