Q-tips founder Leo Gerstenzang opened a firm marketing baby care accessories in 1923 after watching his wife apply wads of cotton to a toothpick – and they continued to be used in almost every household 100 years laterQ-tips founder Leo Gerstenzang opened a firm marketing baby care accessories in 1923 after watching his wife apply wads of cotton to a toothpick – and they continued to be used in almost every household 100 years later