Safety pin
A safety pin is a variation of the regular
Safety pins are commonly used to fasten pieces of fabric or clothing together. Safety pins, or more usually a special version with an extra safe cover, called a nappy pin or loincloth pin, are widely used to fasten cloth diapers (nappies), or modern loincloths. 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 an embroidered patch. Safety pins are divided into numbered size categories. Size 3 pins are often being used in quilting and may be labelled for purchase as a "quilting pin." Sizes 4 and larger may be called "blanket pins" and deemed acceptable as kilt pins for informal dress, depending upon design and appearance.
Early precursor
The
Invention of the safety pin
American mechanic Walter Hunt is 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.[3] Charles Rowley (Birmingham, England) independently patented a similar safety pin in October 1849,[4] 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.[5]
After being issued U.S. patent #6,281 on April 10, 1849,
Locking safety pin
The 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.[9]
Medical aspects
The laryngologist Dr. Chevalier Jackson devised 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.[10] Safety pin ingestion is still a common problem in some countries today.[11]
Culture
During the emergence of
Safety pins worn visibly on clothing became a symbol of solidarity with victims of racist and xenophobic speech and violence after the Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom in 2016.[16] 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.[17]
Tradition
Safety 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.[18]
See also
- 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
- S2CID 971272.
- ^ "Brooches and Pins | LoveToKnow". LoveToKnow. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
- ^ "Walter Hunt". National Inventors Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2007-07-14.
- ^ "Charles Rowley". Charles Rowley. Archived from the original on 2009-10-26.
- ^ Caballar, Rina. "Three Millennia of Safety Pins". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- ^ "Walter Hunt". United States Patent and Trademark Office.
- ^ "LILEKS (James) :: The Bleat 2017 TUESDAY". lileks.com. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- .
- ^ "Safety Pin facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about Safety Pin". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- ^ Schaffer, Amanda (10 January 2011). "Down the Hatch and Straight into Medical History". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
- S2CID 971272.
- ^ 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. Retrieved 2018-05-05.