1. The object that I chose is a small black, square-shaped plastic case-like object. It is about 4 inches wide in diameter. On the inside there seems to be a tan substance on one side and a mirror on the other. The substance is powder like and seems to match my skin tone. This object is compact so it seems portable. Because of the mirror I can only assume it is a cosmetic product and is used for cover up. I believe someone who values beauty and looking presentable would use this object. I believe someone who is busy and needs to take this product with them can do so because of the size and mirror located inside the object.

2. Does the person using this object do so because they want to, or because society encourages it?

How does the person select the color of powder used in this object? Is it a personal decision or chosen by                 a professional?

At what age did the person start using this? And how often do they use it?

3. The information I found on the web was on the history of compacts on Wikipedia:

Wikipedia contributors, “Compact (cosmetics),”  Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Compact_(cosmetics)&oldid=624589229 (accessed January 23, 2016).

Compacts are dated back to the early 1900’s when makeup still wasn’t a socially accepted standard. They started to become more popular in the 1920’s and the styles of each compact represented what was popular at the time. For instance in 1922, Egypt inspired themes were all the rage. However starting in 1960 compacts went from being metal to plastic and disposable after the use of the powder inside. Which is what we see today, disposable cosmetics.

4. I found a peer-reviewed article on the Boise State Library database:

Chaudhri, S., & Jain, N. (2009). History of cosmetics. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics, 3(3), 164-167. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0973-8398.56292

Cosmetics are a major part of our routine. But where did it begin and why is it such a big part of our lives? This article looks at where it all began. From the Roman and Egyptian cultures using organic materials cosmetically to the middle ages where Queen Elizabeth I used white powder to signify prestige. Using products to enhance beauty or hygiene was of high significance to each culture. For western culture it began with influences from early Hollywood and people such as Coco Chanel that dictated styles and what was important in regards to cosmetics.

6. The information I found on Wikipedia seemed to all come from secondary sources. It was also a very brief history of compacts. In my opinion it wasn’t anything like Prownian’s approach to material. I choose it because it gave a little history of the exact object that I chose for this assignment.

The peer-reviewed article that I found was more in depth. It wasn’t specific to the object that I chose, it was more broad and more information in regards to all cosmetics. I had some difficulty finding an article specifically on the history of compacts themselves. I thought this was an appropriate article because it discussed the history of cosmetics and why it is so important to many cultures, even into this century. The authors approach also included secondary sources but was similar to Prownian’s method because there were descriptions, deductions, and speculations on the products used by the different cultures.

 

Description- Object is between 6-9 inches and roughly 1-2 inches in circumference. Made of a hard plastic material. One end has a flattened section measuring 1-1.5 inches with stiff bristles of varying colors and lengths. The other end has a rubber substance on the “bottom” of the item. Has no discernible temperature difference than the ambient air temperature.

 

Deduction- Item looks to be a tool of some sort. Possibly used for vanity. Could be used for very focused cleaning i.e. tile grout, in tight corners or inside of small necked bottles. Could also be used for hygiene purposes.

 

Speculation- I could see this item used by male and female people of all ages. Brushing small sections of hair like eyebrows.  I could see these individuals using this item to clean possibly teeth or under fingernails.  Based on the location of the item i could see this item being used to clean in very tight areas. Like getting in the grout between tiles in the shower or on the floor.  Could also clean the very tight locations on a toilet.

 

Questions-

Is there more than one use for this item?

Does the item need to be replaced often?

Has time and technology changed the usefulness or effectiveness of the item?

 

Colgate. “History Of Toothbrushes And Toothpastes.” History Of Toothbrushes And Toothpastes. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.

This article talks about the history of the toothbrush. The first toothbrushes date back to 3000 BC using frayed sticks. The Chinese are thought to have invented the first natural bristle design, with a bone or bamboo as the handle. This basic design didn’t change much until Du Pont invented nylon. The truly modern toothbrush was invented in 1938.

 

Wiegand, Annette and Burkhard, John and Eggmann, Florin and Attin, Thomas, “Brushing force of manual and sonic toothbrushes affects dental hard tissue abrasion,” Clinical Oral Investigations. Apr2013, Vol. 17 Issue 3, p815-822. 8p.

In this peer reviewed article, it has been found that if you are looking to do the least amount of damage to the enamel of your teeth, then you should use a electric sonic toothbrush. During the testing it was found that the most abrasive form of brushing is manually.

 

Prownian Analysis
Description-This object is cold, and has a soft texture. This object is roughly 6 inches long and has a wrinkled look to it. The sha

pe of this object has a rectangular body and a circular top. This object looks as though it is made out of a soft plastic.
Deduction-This product looks like it would be used for multiple different things. It looks as though people could use this for possible medical reasons. It looks as though it has something soft and a type of ointment inside of it. This could be used for medical reasons or hygiene purposes. This product looks like it belongs indoors and that a person would carry this with them possibly. Someone using this object could probably have it for a long time. It does not look like it would show wear and tear when someone is using it.
Speculate-Maybe this object would be used by someone who is a doctor or someone who could possibly be treating humans, or it may even be an animal product perhaps. This object could also be used for a household cleaner or used for something around the house rather than humans or animals.
Does anything about this product make one think that it is specifically for human use or could it be for animals as well?
What makes one think that this could be a medical assisting object, or hygiene?
Where could this product have possible came from?
Colgate. “History Of Toothbrushes And Toothpastes.” History Of Toothbrushes And Toothpastes. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.
It’s very possible that the history of this object could have rooted from China and India. Chinese were using toothpaste before the toothbrush was even around. Ox hoofs, egg shells, and ash were said to be some of the key ingredients in the first toothpastes. The author of this article helps readers understand three important things about this product. How, when, and why.
Basch, Corey H., Rodney Hammond, Alexis Guinta, Sonali Rajan, and Charles E. Basch. 2013. “Advertising of Toothpaste in Parenting Magazines”. Journal of Community Health : The Publication for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. 38 (5): 911-914.
Unfortunately there is not a lot of history on tooth paste. Although this article does introduce some changes that have been made in toothpaste over the years. Its said to be more harmful today than it was 50 years ago. All the new chemicals that are being added to it are making this product unsafe. The author goes in depth to introduce the product and specific changes that it has made and how they have continuously altered. Many elements in this product are broke down by the author so one can really understand the properties of toothpaste.