In 1770, a prisoner named William Addis created America’s first toothbrush. In 1498, the Chinese invented toothbrushes much like those we have today. Before disposing of old, used toothbrushes, remember: in the kitchen and bath toothbrushes can be used to scrub deep into tiny cracks and crevices and many other hard-to-reach places. They're good for cleaning grout lines in ceramic tile, too. They’re also great for cleaning deeply carved fine furniture. In the shop, dipped in solvent, they degrease and clean up tiny parts. Artists and painters can use them to apply stains and finishes in tight places, and make little flecks called “splatter dashing” by drawing paint-filled bristles over a popsicle stick. In the garden, you can use them to brush insects off leaves with denatured alcohol and water. And that's the On The House tip for today.