Who Invented the Back Scratcher a Brief History of Itchiness

Who Invented the Back Scratcher?

Your hands can be beneficial when you have an itch you need to relieve. But what happens when the itch is somewhere that your hands can’t reach, like your middle back. Instead of turning and squirming, you can just use a backscratcher in a bid to relieve yourself.

Back scratchers are convenient tools. They are made to look like a hand and can conveniently relieve you of any itching on your back. The fact that they are called back scratchers does not mean that they should be used mainly for backscratching. They can be used to scratch any part of your body that itches.

They are different kinds of backscratchers, made from different materials and in different designs, but they all achieve the same goal. Many people have wondered over time, who first thought of this fantastic tool, who invented the backscratcher? Continue reading to find out.

Who Invented the Backscratcher?

The back scratcher has been in existence for a very long time. Humans used tree branches and sticks to scratch their backs a long time ago, but as the world evolved, different backscratcher variations were created and still used today. Some of these variations include;

The Brushing Back Scratcher

Albin Chaplin created this in 2001. Here, the head has brush bristles at the edges to help give the user quick relief. This type of scratcher can also be used in the shower to soap and scrub the back. This is an ingenious invention that is still relevant to date. (1)

The Electric Backscratcher

Getting the itch in your back will feel good. It feels even better when you do not have to do it yourself. The electric backscratcher takes all the work off you and relieves you of that itch in minutes.

This invention takes backscratching up a notch because you can decide how fast your back gets scratched. Adey Garcia created it in 1975, and since then, different variations and designs have been created.

Many other variations of backscratchers have been created, including one that can double as a shoehorn, created by Henry Wedermyer in 1967, and the disinfectant backscratcher used for livestock.

History of the Backscratcher

As mentioned above, the backscratcher has been part of human existence for a long time. Different materials have been used to create backscratchers over time including, bones, whale teeth, ivory, and wood.

In China, they were used by farmers to check for fleas and ticks on the bodies of their livestock. It was also used as a tool to hold in place the large powdered hair worn by Chinese ladies between the 18th and 19th centuries.

It wasn’t just used for scratching. There were times that they were used as a decorative instrument and were hung at the waist of their owners whenever they went out. Chiricahua men and women going through puberty will use backscratchers made from a tree that has born fruit.

It was like a rite of passage to adulthood for the young people, and men who did not use the backscratcher were said to have very soft skin.

Today, you can find backscratchers made from different materials and various designs that are usually a combination of old and modern techniques.

Bottom Line

The backscratcher is designed to look like a hand. It has a long thin handle, which allows it to reach parts of the back that our hands cannot.

The head is made differently according to the maker’s design. Some backscratchers are created in the shape of a claw, while some are made to look like a rake, others are like human hands, and some others have a brush attached to the end.

You can find backscratchers made from plastic, steel, or wood. There are even some designs that are detachable, retractable, or electric. All of these variations have their pros and cons, and you should go for the kind that best suits your needs.

Though the backscratcher is a straightforward tool, it comes in so many designs and styles. You can stop twisting and turning when your back itches and simply get yourself any backscratcher of your choice. If you wish, you can create a backscratcher to suit your lifestyle all by yourself at home.