U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for February 20

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20: MAKING TOOTHPICKS

Profile America -- Sunday, February 20th.  One of the first efforts of dental hygiene was the toothpick, used throughout history by both civilized and primitive cultures.  Some were simple splinters of wood, others jewel encrusted works of art.  For many toothpicks also meant the user could afford the good meal that required its use.  The first toothpick making machine was developed by Charles Forster in Boston in 1869.  On this date three years later, Silas Noble patented a similar machine, still in use today.  Flossing is now the preferred method of keeping teeth clear of food debris, helping to keep down our annual per capita dentist bills of $332.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  440 International Calendar of Events, Those Were the Days

Kane's Famous First Facts, 4071

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 133

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).  

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau