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History of Buttons Timeline

(c. 2800 BCE–Present)

The history of buttons traces their development from ancient decorative objects into practical fasteners and important symbols of fashion, technology, and social status. Less

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Ancient origins

Catacomb culture buttons appear

2500 BC - 1950 BC

Buttons used as apparel were found at sites associated with the Catacomb culture in Russia, demonstrating an early use of button-like objects in clothing.

Image source: Button

Catacomb culture buttons appear

Tomb of the Eagles buttons appear

2200 BC - 1800 BC

Buttons used as apparel were found at the Tomb of the Eagles in Scotland, dating to the Bronze Age.

Bronze Age Chinese buttons appear

2000 BC - 1500 BC

Buttons used as apparel have been identified at Bronze Age sites in China dating approximately from 2000 to 1500 BC.

Indus Valley shell buttons are used

2000 BC

The Indus Valley Civilization used buttons made from seashell for ornamental purposes by 2000 BC.

Mohenjo-daro buttons are identified

2000 BC

Mohenjo-daro is associated with some of the earliest known buttons. Ian McNeil argued that the earliest buttons were used primarily as ornaments rather than fasteners.

Buttons serve primarily as ornaments

2000 BC

According to the interpretation attributed to Ian McNeil, early buttons functioned mainly as decorative ornaments before becoming important clothing fasteners.

Roman buttons are used

200 BC

Buttons are also associated with Ancient Rome, extending the early history of apparel buttons into the classical Mediterranean world.

Buttons close Byzantine cuffs

500

By no later than the fifth century, buttons appeared as a means of closing cuffs in the Byzantine Empire.

Buttons fasten Egyptian tunics

500

By no later than the fifth century, buttons were used to fasten the necks of Egyptian tunics.

European development

European button guilds expand the trade

1200 - 1299

During the 13th century, organized guilds helped mark button making as an increasingly important specialized craft in Europe.

Button-making guilds are established

1200 - 1299

The growing importance of buttons was reflected in the establishment of button-making guilds during the 13th century.

German buttonholes appear

1200 - 1299

Buttonholes to fasten clothing first appeared in 13th-century Germany, allowing buttons to function more effectively as practical closures.

Dorset buttons enter production

1600 - 1750

Dorset buttons were handmade from the 17th century through 1750 and became a notable example of traditional button craftsmanship.

Death's-head buttons are made

1600 - 1750

Death's-head buttons belong to the handmade button tradition represented by Dorset buttons and related forms produced from the 17th century to 1750.

Fashion and manufacture

Fabric-covered buttons become popular

1600 - 1699

Fabric-covered buttons became popular in Europe during the 17th century, adding coordinated textile surfaces to garments.

Embroidered buttons become popular

1600 - 1699

Embroidered buttons became popular in Europe during the 17th century, combining fastening with decorative needlework.

Lightweight buttons adorn early jerkin outfits

1600 - 1625

The early 17th-century short jerkin, wide breeches, and cloak could be decorated with dozens of buttons. Their quantity made lightweight construction desirable.

Dozens of buttons become fashionable

1600 - 1625

Early 17th-century clothing ensembles could use dozens of buttons as prominent decoration, increasing the practical need for light materials.

Justaucorps pocket flaps receive buttons

1650 - 1699

Buttoned flaps on the pockets were another characteristic feature of the mid-century justaucorps.

Justaucorps cuffs receive buttons

1650 - 1699

The justaucorps included buttoned sleeve cuffs, showing how buttons were integrated into both the body and details of fashionable garments.

Justaucorps buttons run from neck to knee

1650 - 1699

The mid-17th-century French-originated justaucorps had buttons extending from the neck to the knee, making buttons a defining feature of the coat.

Hammond Turner & Sons documents button making

1852

Hammond Turner & Sons, a button-making company in Birmingham, hosts an online museum containing historical button material, including an 1852 article on button making by Charles Dickens.

Charles Dickens writes on button making

1852

An 1852 article by Charles Dickens on button making is preserved among the historical articles associated with Hammond Turner & Sons' online museum.

Pin-backs replace button shanks

1860

The pin-back construction introduced around 1860 replaced traditional shanks with long pins, changing how buttons could be attached to clothing.

Porcelain and enamel buttons are catalogued

1918

Porcelain and enamel buttons were among the varieties listed in the 1918 US government survey of the international button market.

Wood, horn, and bone buttons are catalogued

1918

The 1918 survey recorded buttons made from wood, horn, and bone, illustrating the range of natural materials used in the industry.

Textile-covered buttons are catalogued

1918

Silk, linen, cotton-covered crochet, and cloth-covered wooden forms were among the textile-related button products listed in 1918.

Snap fasteners are catalogued

1918

The 1918 survey listed snap fasteners alongside traditional buttons and other forms of clothing closure.

Metal buttons are catalogued

1918

Metal was one of the many button materials recorded in the 1918 US government survey.

Glass buttons are catalogued

1918

Glass buttons were included in the extensive list of products documented by the 1918 international market survey.

Mother-of-pearl buttons are catalogued

1918

Mother-of-pearl was among the materials recorded by the 1918 US government survey of buttons.

Celluloid buttons are catalogued

1918

Celluloid appeared among the materials listed in the 1918 survey of international button production.

Image source: Celluloid

Celluloid buttons are catalogued

Galalith buttons are catalogued

1918

Galalith was one of the button materials recorded in the 1918 US government survey of the international market.

Image source: Galalith

Galalith buttons are catalogued

Vegetable ivory buttons are catalogued

1918

The 1918 US government survey listed vegetable ivory among the materials used to make buttons.

US button market survey is conducted

1918

In 1918, the United States government made an extensive survey of the international button market, documenting the breadth of materials and products in use.

Political and social uses

Box-like metal buttons hide contraband

1600

Since at least the 17th century, specially constructed box-like metal buttons have been used in attempts to conceal and transport illegal substances.

George Washington inauguration buttons appear

1789

The mainly American tradition of politically significant clothing buttons appears to have begun with George Washington's first presidential inauguration in 1789.

Political clothing buttons enter campaigns

1840 - 1916

Between about 1840 and 1916, clothing buttons were used in American political campaigns and continued to survive in collections.

American campaign buttons are collected

1840 - 1916

Political clothing buttons from American campaigns of the 1840–1916 period still exist in collections, preserving evidence of their political significance.

Pin-back button construction appears

1860

Around 1860, the badge or pin-back style began to appear. It replaced button shanks with long pins, probably for use on lapels and ties.

Key Facts

  1. Some of the earliest known buttons, made from shell, bone, or other materials, were found in Indus Valley sites and date to around 2800–2600 BCE.
  2. For much of antiquity, buttons served mainly as ornaments, seals, or jewelry rather than as clothing fasteners.
  3. Buttons became widely functional in Europe during the 13th and 14th centuries when garments with buttonholes allowed clothing to fit more closely.
  4. Button-making became an important specialized craft, with materials including metal, wood, glass, porcelain, ivory, and precious stones.
  5. The Industrial Revolution enabled mass production, while the invention and widespread adoption of plastic in the 19th and 20th centuries made buttons cheaper and more varied.

Source

This History of Buttons timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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