Question

What is the independent clause

in this sentence
Before the nylon-bristled toothbrush was invented in 1938, toothbrush were commonly made from the coarse hairs on the back of a hog's neck.

Answer 1

"toothbrush were commonly made from the coarse hairs on the back of a hog's neck."

think of it like "Before the nylon-bristled toothbrush was invented in 1938" has the word before in it so it can't just be a sentence by itself. However, you can say this: "toothbrush were commonly made from the coarse hairs on the back of a hog's neck" as a sentence. It is independent.