Safety pin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A safety pin is a simple fastening device, a variation of the regular pin which includes a simple spring mechanism and a clasp. The clasp serves two purposes: to form a closed loop thereby properly fastening the pin to whatever it is applied to, and to cover the end of the pin to protect the user from the sharp point.
Safety pins are commonly used to fasten pieces of fabric or clothing together. They are widely used to fasten cloth diapers (nappies), as the safety clasp prevents the baby from being jabbed. Similarly, they can be used to patch torn or damaged clothing. Safety pins can also be used as an accessory or jewelery, such as earrings, chains, and wristbands.
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[edit] Origin
The origin of the safety pin dates back to the Mycenaeans during the 14th century BCE (Late Mycenaean III era). They are known as fibulae (singular fibula) and were used in the same manner as modern day safety pins. In fact, the very first fibulae of the 14th and 13th centuries B.C. looked remarkably like the safety pin. The origin of the fibulae is detailed in Chr. Blinkenberg's 1926 book Fibules grecques et orientales.
The safety pin was reinvented in July 1849 by American inventor Walter Hunt. The rights to the invention were sold for $15.[1][1]
[edit] Culture
During emergence of Punk Rock in the late seventies, safety pins became associated with the genre, its followers and fashion. Some claim the look was taken originally from Richard Hell whom the British punks saw in pictures, and whose style they adopted.[2] This is disputed by a number of artists from the first wave of British punks, most notably Johnny Rotten, who insists that safety pins were originally incorporated for more practical reasons, for example, to remedy "the arse of your pants falling out". British punk fans, after seeing the clothing worn by such punk forerunners, then incorporated safety pins into their own wardrobe, shifting the purpose of the pins from practicality to fashion. The safety pin subsequently has become an image associated with Punk Rock by media and pop-culture outlets.
safteypins are sometimes used by "punks" to close purposefully torn clothing to show rebellionism against open ripped fashion and not ripped clothing. also used to place on articles of clothing such as ties,bowties,and shirtsleeves. also used as body peircings because of its sharp edges and closing mechinism.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Safety Pin
- ^ According to a few documentaries and Malcolm McLaren, who has credited this style to his first impressions of Richard Hell while he was in New York managing the The New York Dolls.
