Asafety pinis a variation of the regularpinwhich includes a simplespringmechanism and a clasp. The clasp forms a closed loop to properly fasten the pin to whatever it is applied to and covers the end of the pin to protect the user from the sharp point.
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Safety pins are commonly used to fasten pieces offabricor clothing together. Safety pins, or more usually a special version with an extra safe cover, called anappy pinorloincloth pin,are widely used to fastencloth diapers(nappies), or modernloincloths.They're preferred as their safety clasp, while remaining an ingestion hazard,[1]prevents the baby from being jabbed or pricked. Safety pins can be used generally to patch torn or damaged clothing. They can also be used as an accessory in all kinds of jewelry including: earrings, chains, and wristbands. Sometimes they're used to attach anembroidered patch.Safety pins are divided into numbered size categories. Size 3 pins are often used inquiltingand may be labelled for purchase as a "quilting pin." Sizes 4 and larger may be called "blanket pins" and deemed acceptable askilt pinsfor informal dress, depending upon design and appearance.
Early precursor
editThe toggle pin, an early clothing fastener, was brought toPalestineby theHyksos.[2]The toggle pin was a pin characterized by en eyelet in one end; the eyelet was probably used to secure one end of the pin to the article of clothing, with the other end penetrating another portion of the article to secure it.[3]
Thefibula,a form ofbrooch,was invented by theMycenaeansin the Greek region ofPeloponnesusbetween the 14th and 13th Century BC, and is considered an early precursor to a safety pin since it was used in a similar manner. Fibulae were used by Greek women and men to help secure tunics.[4]
Invention of the safety pin
editAmerican mechanicWalter Huntis regarded as the inventor of the modern safety pin. The safety pin included a clasp that covered the point and kept it from opening, and a circular twist at the bend to act as a spring and hold it in place.[5]Charles Rowley (Birmingham, England) independently patented a similar safety pin in October 1849,[6]though they are no longer made.
Hunt made the invention in order to pay off a $15 debt to a friend.[citation needed]He used a piece of brass wire that was about 8 inches (200 mm) long[citation needed]and made a coil in the center of the wire so it would open up when released. The clasp at one end was devised in order to shield the sharp edge from the user.[7]
After being issued U.S. patent #6,281 on April 10, 1849,[8]Hunt sold the patent toW.R. Grace and Companyfor $400 (roughly $15,000 in 2023 dollars). Using that money, Hunt then paid the $15 owed to a friend and kept the remaining amount of $385 for himself. In the years to follow, W.R. Grace and Company would make millions of dollars in profits from his invention.[9][10]
Locking safety pin
editThe sharpened pin, that is attached to a coiled wire is connected with a cap that is hooked at the end of the wire. Pushing the pin into the opening of the cap secures the safety of the pin, and the clasp is then closed.[11]
Medical aspects
editThe laryngologistDr. Chevalier Jacksondevised special instruments for removing swallowed safety pins. Because small children often swallowed them and open pins could be lodged dangerously in their throats, Jackson called them "danger pins" and sometimes displayed arrangements of those he had extracted.[12]Safety pin ingestion is still a common problem in some countries.[13]
Culture
editDuring the emergence ofpunk rockin the late 1970s, safety pins became associated with the genre, its followers andfashion.[14]Some claim the look was taken originally fromRichard Hellwhom the British punks saw in pictures, and whose style they adopted.[15]This is disputed by a number of artists from the first wave of British punks, most notablyJohnny Rotten,who insists that safety pins were originally incorporated for more practical reasons, for example, to remedy "the arse of your pants falling out."[16]British punk fans, after seeing the clothing worn by such punk forerunners, then incorporated safety pins into their own wardrobe as clothing decoration or as piercings, thus shifting the purpose of the pins from practicality to fashion. The safety pin subsequently has become an image associated withpunk rockby media and popular culture outlets.[17]
Safety pins worn visibly on clothing became a symbol of solidarity with victims of racist and xenophobic speech and violence after theBrexitreferendum in the United Kingdom in 2016.[18]Later that year the symbol spread to the United States after Donald Trump's election to the presidency. Some commentators and activists derided the wearing of safety pins as "slacktivism,"while others argued it was useful when connected with other, more concrete political actions.[19]
Tradition
editSafety pins hold a value in certain cultures and traditions. In India pins are kept over generations and passed down to daughters. Ukrainians use pins as a way to ward off evil spirits when attached to children's clothing. In other countries a safety pin is a form of good luck.[20]
See also
edit- Drawing pin
- Infant clothing
- Fibulae and ancient brooches
- Black Versace dress of Elizabeth Hurley(1994 Academy Award Red Carpet dress held together by safety pins)
- Paper clip
- Tie pin
Notes
edit- ^Türkyilmaz Z, Karabulut R, Sönmez K, Basaklar AC, Kale N (2007)."A new method for the removal of safety pins ingested by children"(PDF).Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore.36(3):206–7.doi:10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.V36N3p206.PMID17450267.S2CID971272.
- ^Petrie, Flinders(1934).Ancient Gaza.Vol. 2. London: British School of Archeology in Egypt. p. 16.OCLC3698804.RetrievedFebruary 2,2025.
- ^Prell, Silvia (2020)."Hard to Pin down – Clothing Pins in the Eastern Delta of Egypt and Their Diffusion in the Middle Bronze Age".Ägypten und Levante / Egypt and the Levant.30:495–533, 495.ISSN1015-5104.
The term 'toggle pin', introduced by Petrie, is a little misleading as already Henschel-Simon remarked. Actually, they are maybe better simply termed clothing pins, in this case characterized by an eyelet shank. This eyelet most likely served to affix the pin to the clothing in order to secure it.
See also the illustrations on p. 496. - ^"Brooches and Pins | LoveToKnow".LoveToKnow.Retrieved2018-05-06.
- ^"Walter Hunt".National Inventors Hall of Fame. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-07-14.
- ^"Charles Rowley".Charles Rowley. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-10-26.
- ^Caballar, Rina."Three Millennia of Safety Pins".The Atlantic.Retrieved2018-05-05.
- ^"Walter Hunt".United States Patent and Trademark Office.
- ^"LILEKS (James):: The Bleat 2017 TUESDAY".lileks.Retrieved2018-05-05.
- ^Akcigit, Ufuk; Celik, Murat Alp; Greenwood, Jeremy (2016)."Buy, Keep, or Sell: Economic Growth and the Market for Ideas"(PDF).Econometrica.84(3):943–984.doi:10.3982/ECTA12144.
- ^"Safety Pin facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia articles about Safety Pin".encyclopedia.Retrieved2018-05-05.
- ^Schaffer, Amanda (10 January 2011)."Down the Hatch and Straight into Medical History".The New York Times.Retrieved7 October2020.
- ^Türkyilmaz Z, Karabulut R, Sönmez K, Basaklar AC, Kale N (2007)."A new method for the removal of safety pins ingested by children"(PDF).Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore.36(3):206–7.doi:10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.V36N3p206.PMID17450267.S2CID971272.
- ^Punks: A Guide to an American Subculture,p53, Sharon M. Hannon, ABC-CLIO, 2010
- ^Finney, Ross,A Blank Generation: Richard Hell and American Punk Rock.University of Notre Dame, Department of American Studies. p. 40
- ^Inside the Met's New Exhibit, 'Punk: Chaos to Couture'.Rolling Stone,May 7, 2013.
- ^Young, Sarah,The safety pin returns as punk becomes more relevant than ever.The Independent,October 17, 2016.
- ^The humble safety pin makes an anti-racism point, BBC.COM June 16, 2016
- ^Abad-Santos, Alex,The backlash over safety pins and allies, explained,Vox,November 17, 2016.
- ^Caballar, Rina."Three Millennia of Safety Pins".The Atlantic.Retrieved2018-05-05.