In ancient times, people used simple pins or brooches called fibulae to fasten clothing. The modern safety pin was invented in 1849 by American inventor Walter Hunt. To understand how elaborate costumes worn by characters in historical films or television series were fastened, we need to look back at ancient history. The famous Greek poet Homer, in his epic “Odyssey,” mentions that Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, was gifted twelve attractive gold pins by one of her suitors, Antinous. These pins were used to fasten garments. Additionally, the historian Herodotus wrote that women in Athens used long pins to secure their tunics.
Later, in ancient Rome, a special type of brooch known as the fibula became popular. The fibula is considered the predecessor of today’s safety pin. It was safer than ordinary pins since typical pins had exposed tips that could cause injury, whereas fibulae had mechanisms to cover the pointed end, making them secure and reliable. Roman soldiers widely used these to fasten their cloaks. The fibula was also popular across various civilizations including Greek, Persian, Celtic, Germanic, and Slavic cultures. Over time, its design evolved; initially featuring a spring, later incorporating hinges, and by the third century, the famous crossbow fibula was developed.
The modern safety pin we use today was developed by Walter Hunt in 1849. Facing a $15 debt, Hunt decided to create a new invention. He fashioned a nearly 8-inch-long brass wire into a spring in the middle, with a pin on one end and a clasp on the other, producing a safety pin made from a single piece of wire. He named it the ‘dress pin’ and secured a patent. Later, he sold the rights for $400. Even today, safety pins are essential when wearing sarees. Thus, a seemingly small and simple safety pin conceals a fascinating story spanning thousands of years of history, technological advancement, and social change.
