The history of buttons

Today buttons are so common that it is hard to think of not having them. But people had beautiful clothes of silks and satins and velvets long before buttons were used as fasteners. To fasten their clothes, the people of early times used strings, sashes, and pins. There were but­tons even in very ancient times, but they were used only as decoration. The first buttons known to have been used as fas­teners were made in the days of the famous Queen Elizabeth I of England.

All early buttons, whether they were used as fasteners or as decoration, were expensive. They had to be made by hand. Many of them were of gold or silver. Some had jewels set in them. Some were even carved out of jewels.

Many buttons are still used just for dec­oration. And some are still expensive. In fact, the buttons on a dress may cost more than the cloth the dress is made of. But there are now cheap buttons, too. Buttons can be made cheaply today because they can be manufactured by machine.

Today's buttons are made of many different materials. Shell, wood, leather, cloth, and glass are a few of them. Bone, horses' hoof, vegetable ivory, brass, silver, and steel are others. The newest materials for buttons are plastics. Buttons are made in a great many colors and sizes and shapes, too.

Now other kinds of fasteners, such as zippers, hooks-and-eyes, and snaps, have partly taken the place of buttons. Buttons, however, are sure to be used for many years to come.