Safety pin
Imperdible
- Date
- 1849 · confidence high
- Place
- New York, United States
- Credited to
- Walter Hunt
- People
- 👤 Walter Hunt1796–1859
- Field
- Tools
What it is
A wire pin with a spring and a clasp protecting the point, invented in a few hours to settle a $15 debt. An everyday object manufactured by the million.
Hunt sold the patent for $400; he also designed a sewing machine (1834) without patenting it.
What it led to
- Mass-produced wire goods
- Nappies and fastening clothes, until Velcro
- A symbol of punk culture (1970s)
Built on
- Ancient fibula (brooch)
- Steel wire drawing
Made possible
- Paper clipc. 1870-1899
- Automatic manufacture of pins and paperclips