Advance Technical Abrasives began in 1984 in Columbus, Ohio, when founder Edwin Tausch took his extensive background in diamonds and electroplating and started manufacturing dental cutting wheels for the dental lab industry. Edwin began his career at General Electric where he and a team of engineers patented the first man-made diamonds. In the 1980s, Edwin stumbled upon a new opportunity at a flea market when he noticed a nail technician using an old belt driven drill and sanding bands to remove acrylic enhancements. After some conversation, he asked the woman if she would be willing to try his diamond bits. The bits were a hit, and Edwin started manufacturing diamond tools for the beauty industry under the product line Erica’s ATA, named after their first born daughter