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International Safety Pin Day – April 10, 2024

We mark International Safety Pin Day on April 10 every year. This unofficial observance is dedicated to the simple but clever and useful invention — safety pins. The safety pin is used for a lot of things. For example, it is used to secure clothes together, as a decoration, and is also worn as accessories. Walter Hunt invented and patented the safety pin, and the truth is that the design of this object has not changed much since its invention. It is a day to celebrate the simple, useful invention of Hunt.

History of International Safety Pin Day

In April 1849, Walter Hunt, born in 1796, invented the safety pin to pay a debt of $15 to a friend. Walter Hunt was an American mechanic. Hunt did not get any real cash or fame from his invention so he sold the patent to “W. R. Grace and Company” for $400. He paid his friend back with that money and pocketed the remaining $385. Hunt made the safety pin to improve the ‘dress pin’ and prevent injuries to fingers and other parts of the body. It said that he made the safety pin with a brass wire of about 8 inches in length.

The basic design invented by Walter Hunt in 1849 is still used today. Although the safety pin was invented to fasten fabric and clothing, it is also used as an accessory, as jewelry, and in place of rings for body piercings. Safety pins have hundreds, if not thousands of uses. Some of them are pinning together two pieces of clothing to sew, pinning together cloth diapers, keeping cloth bags closed, decorating clothing, etc.

Walter Hunt came up with numerous inventions. He also invented a repeating rifle, a fountain pen, and a knife sharpener. He also invented the sewing machine, which was his most noteworthy invention besides the safety pin. The truth is that he didn’t patent this invention because he thought it would take away jobs from those who sewed by hand. Hunt often did not reap the full economic benefit from their inventions. In 2015, this holiday was originally called Safety Pin Day, and in 2017, it was often referred to as International Safety Pin Day. Shortly after, it was sometimes called National Safety Pin Day,

International Safety Pin Day timeline

1796
The Birth of an Innovator

Walter Hunt is born in Martinsburg, New York.

1833
The Sewing Machine is Invented

He invents the sewing machine, which is used to sew fabric and materials together with thread.

1849
The Safety Pin is Invented

He invents the safety pin to pay a debt.

1859
The End of an Era

Walter Hunt died on June 8, 1859.

International Safety Pin Day FAQs

What are the different types of pins?

Safety pins are classified according to their size. Typical sizes are 37 mm (~1-1/2 inches) and 46 mm (~1.8 inches)

What material are pins made of?

Generally, they are made of Zinc alloys and Iron.

When did the diaper pin first appear?

The diaper pin was designed in 1849, and the sharp edge of the pin was maintained secure by tension, making it excellent for tying flats around babies.

International Safety Pin Day Activities

  1. Create your own invention

    Get inspiration from Hunt and come up with your own invention. You never know how far it will take you.

  2. Wear a pin

    Wear a safety pin on your shirt. As explained, a safety pin is also used as an accessory, so it may be a good opportunity to wear it.

  3. Decorate your safety pin

    You can create a unique design using a safety pin. Look up on Pinterest and you will find thousands of ideas.

Why We Love

  1. They’re used as earrings and body piercings

    In the 1970s, punk rock culture started to use safety pins as earrings, body piercings, and also on clothing.

  2. They’re used by runners

    As they are more effective than adhesives, they are used to pin bibs on the shirts of runners.

  3. They’re used to fight off evil spirits

    Safety pins are put inside children's clothes to fight off evil spirits in Ukraine.

  4. They have some myths attached to them

    Safety pins are pinned close to a pregnant woman's belly, as this is thought to protect the child in Mexico.

  5. They pass on social and political messages

    They are worn by women to fight harassment in India, in support of immigrants in England, or the U.S. following the 2016 election.

Why We Love International Safety Pin Day

  1. They are very useful

    They can be used for many things, including for fashion. It can be used to secure clothes together and as a decoration.

  2. They are unique.

    There is nothing quite like a safety pin. Not only are they cheap, but they are also versatile and come in handy no matter their intended use.

  3. They prevent injuries

    Safety pins prevent injuries in people that work making clothing with the sewing machine. They can even be used to fix bandages if an injury occurs.

International Safety Pin Day dates

YearDateDay
2024April 10Wednesday
2025April 10Thursday
2026April 10Friday
2027April 10Saturday
2028April 10Monday

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