History

Years ago, a radio story introduced me to a surprisingly simple fact: touching your face is one of the most common ways to spread illness. Every time we touch something, we pick up germs on our fingers that we rub into our eyes, nose, and mouth. That idea grossed me out, so I tried repeatedly to break the habit of touching my face. However I literally could not break the habit for even 30 seconds. It seemed utterly impossible to stop.

Then COVID hit and my motivation to stop touching my face was magnified. I envisioned a soft, hygienic wristband—something that could reach any part of my face without transferring germs from handshakes, doorknobs, or shopping carts. But after searching online, I realized no such product existed.

Using basic 3D modeling and an entry-level printer, I set to work. After a frustrating heap of failed prototypes, I finally created a working model. Wearing it was a game-changer: it served as a tactile reminder to keep my hands away from my face while providing a clean and effective substitute. And, frankly, I thought it looked pretty cool.

I’ve never invented a product or brought one to market before, but Scratchband felt too helpful to keep to myself. I hope it brings you the same relief and peace of mind it has given me.