A brief history of the development of buttons

Buttons are much older than we thought. The oldest buttons are estimated to be about 5,000 years old. The oldest buttons found were mainly made of curved shells. But according to historian and writer Ian McNeil, these objects do not work like modern buttons. They are used more as decorations than fasteners and are almost never arranged in rows.

The ancient Romans also used buttons. However, their garments require large buttons made of sturdy materials such as wood, horns, and bronze. These pierced many ugly holes in clothing, and soon fell out of favor among ancient Roman garment makers. Interestingly, the Romans also invented fibula to replace buttons. This is an early version of the safety pin, although the design was lost until it was rediscovered again in the 19th century American industrial era.

The Middle Ages were when buttons were used as functional fasteners. In Europe, tight-fitting clothes became popular among the aristocracy and the royal family, and buttons were used to help the clothing fit closer to the wearer's body. In the 16th century France, the guild of button manufacturers began to appear. These guilds regulated the production of buttons and passed laws on their use. Although medieval buttons have worked, they are still seen as a symbol of prosperity and prestige. Only those who are rich enough can wear delicate buttons.

Buttons became widespread only after the Industrial Revolution. Ordinary people can have buttons, and the use of buttons is not limited to the upper classes. Buttons can now be mass-produced inexpensively.

After the 20th century, the price of buttons further declined with the introduction of new materials, plastics. Plastic is much cheaper than bones, bronze, horns, shells or metals, making it an ideal material for making buttons.