William Addis

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Addis became involved in a dispute that got out of control, was charged with causing a riot and sent to Newgate Prison. While languishing in a dark, dank cell, hating cleaning his teeth with rags and soot, he came up with the idea for a toothbrush. He drilled a hole in a pig bone left over from his prison food, put some bristles from a handy sweeping brush in the hole and fixed them with glue.  On his release from prison, he set up a family business and made a fortune from his invention.

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The Addis family business ran from 1780-1996, 216 years, and supported 10 generations of family. Finally they saw the wisdom of selling out. NOT BAD FOR A CONVICT!

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"The truest WISDOM is resolute determination." Napoleon Bonaparte

Video: Everett Collection • shutterstock.com

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