Here's a link to a very interesting slide deck on mobile by Volker Hirsch he recently presented at the Forum Oxford Future Technology conference. A number that, I have to admit, only struck me afterwards is on slide 4:
- Number of toothbrushes in use: 2.25 billion
- Number of mobile phone subscribers: 4.6 billion
I assume the number of mobile phone subscribers is the number of subscriptions worldwide and as many people these days have more than a single subscription / SIM card, the actual number will be lower. But still, there seem to be more people on this planet with a mobile phone than a toothbrush!? That's a bit shocking. Mobile phones with built in toothbrushes? Anyone?
Well, after reading your post I’ve google’d a little bit and found ex. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1674512.
I guess one of the reasons is that in many regions in the world there are almost no shops, so people there can’t simply go and buy toothbrush and toothpaste.
But still, when in need I think I would give away my phone in exchange for toothbrush 😉
Regards!
Hi Kamil,
thanks for the reply, a very interesting link! I wasnt aware that there are also dental sticks. So I wonder what the count then is when toothbrushes, dental sticks and whatever else there is for dental hygiene is put together and compared to the number of people having a mobile phone!?
Cheers,
Martin