Naked Science Forum
On the Lighter Side => Famous Scientists, Doctors and Inventors => Topic started by: Simulated on 05/01/2008 21:01:47
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since this is the who invented it type section. that's what i'm wondering.
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http://home.nycap.rr.com/useless/q-tips/
Q-Tips® were invented in the 1920's by a Polish-born American named Leo Gerstenzang.
It seems that Leo's lovely and beautiful wife had rigged up a different device to clean their baby's ears at bathtime - a toothpick stuck into a piece of cotton.
Clearly, one wrong slip-up on Mom's part meant a nice little wound to little baby Gerstenzang.
Leo decided to design a ready made cotton swab that would do the same with less risk.
At this point, he named his company the Leo Gerstenzang Infant Novelty Company to market his new creation.
While Q-Tips® appear to be a simple concept, Leo spent several years perfecting the design.
Clearly, safety was on his mind. In particular, he was concerned that the wood sticks could possibly splinter (today they are a white cardboard-like material).
Another problem was the cotton itself. He needed to get an equal amount on both ends of the swab and to design a way to keep it from falling off (don't want it stuck in your ear).
Once he perfected his product, he needed to find a catchy name.
Lots of names must have gone through his head.
I can hear it now: Leo Gerstenzang's Ear Sticks. How about Baby Leo's? Or Ear Wipes?
A better name was clearly needed.
I bet that you think Q-Tips® was his choice.
You'd be wrong.
Instead, he chose the name Baby Gays.
Huh?
Yes, you read that right - Baby Gays. Certainly not a good name for the late 20th century.
In 1926, he changed the name to Q-Tips® Baby Gays.
So what did the Q stand for?
Q for Quality.
Eventually, the Baby Gays part of the name was dropped and the rest is cotton swab history.
Useless? Useful? I’ll leave that for you to decide.
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Q-Tips® is a registered trademark of Chesebrough-Ponds, Inc.
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Thanks Karen!
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Your welcome.