Page 19 - May1997

Mav 1997 NATIONAI, B[.lTlfON BUn X,ElfN 85

BUTTOI\ BITS

by Ellaraine Lockie
The first patent recorded in connection with button manufacture was taken out
by Richard Maundrell on April 25,1683, and is about the "Mistery of casting
and making hollow pewter or block tynn buttons'"

I In the 1700's, highway robbers and "footpads" carried razors and

"bubbled" (slashed off buttons from) wealthy gentry. It was far more
profitable than stealing their purses.

I A tank "unbuttoned" is one with its hatch and slips open.
I Buttons from the seeds of South American palm trees (vegetable ivory)
were used for uniforms in World War I until soldiers discovered in the

trenches that rats liked to eat the buttons.
I During World War II, clothing made in England had to meet the New

Austerity specifications. Three buttons on a garment were the maximum
number allowed. Each button had to have "cc" on it, which stood for
Civilian Clothing.

I A small girl who was learning to dress herself came tearfully to her
mother with the question, "How can I button my dress when the buttons

are on the back, and I'm on the front?"

Ellaraine is writing a button folklore book and is looking .fbr more material. I;f you
have an anecdote, please send it to her at 627 Templeton Ct., Sunnyvale, CA 94087'