brush

right|thumb|Forensic dusting of a crime scene using fingerprint powder and a specialized brush A brush is a common tool with bristles, wire, or other filaments. It generally comprises a handle or block to which filaments are affixed in either a parallel or perpendicular orientation, depending on the way the brush is to be gripped during use. The material of both the block and bristles or filaments is chosen to withstand hazards of its intended use, such as corrosive chemicals, heat, or abrasion. It is used for cleaning, grooming hair, makeup, painting, surface finishing, and many other purposes. It is one of the most basic and versatile tools in use today, and the average household may contain several dozen varieties.

==History== Brush manufacturing extends back to the Egyptians around 3500 BC, with rudimentary paint brushes made from split palm leaves and animal hair. These brushes were made by hand, where dry leaves and fibers would be tied to tree branches that served as the handle. The applications were for pottery decoration and tomb wall painting. In parallel, China also began the development of its own brushes around the same time. Most of the applications for brushes were for decorating, and the first writing brushes represent a variation in manufacturing. With over 120 processes, from selecting materials to finished products, to choose from, this expanded the capabilities of what a manufactured brush could do. The Huzhou ink brush reflects the culmination of the early brush manufacturing era as an established pioneer of writing tools.