An Explanation Of A Thimble
A thimble is a cover that fits over the finger to protect it when pushing a needle during embroidering or sewing. The word, comes from Middle English, literally means "thumb shield".
The thimble has a lengthy recorded history. The oldest extant thimble is Latin, found in the destroyed city of Pompeii. It is bronze. But, the Etruscans, who pre-date the Romans, are known to have made other metal thimbles. Primitive thimbles of leather and bone without doubt also existed because thimbles have been utilized by every known civilization. These thimbles did not survive the centuries.
Through the years, thimbles have evolved in many of ways. Both the materials used and the means of production have changed. Thimbles have gained new uses and become principally decorative and collectible rather than merely practical. Pioneer thimbles had to be sturdy because handspun fabric was coarse and needles were rough and crude. It was difficult to push the thread through the material so a strong, thick bronze or iron thimble, called a "skep", was required to prevent injury.
By the 15th century, fabric became more finely woven and needlework became more refined. Thimbles became thinner and lighter. These thimbles were by and large made of metal and imported from Germany, a brass-making center. During this time, original methods of making thimbles were introduced. Thimbles were made from sheet metal. The new thimbles also contained decorative motifs. The cap was sometimes separate and attached to the cylinder later. The new thimbles were taller and the top was flatter.
During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Holland became the new center of thimble manufacturing. However, in the late 17th century, John Lofting moved thimble production to Islington, England where the brass industry was by now established. He began to assemble thimbles in a scale unprecedented before. Then, he moved his plant to Great Marlow, and used water power to and doubled production.
By the early 18th century, he was producing 2 million thimbles annually. But he too succumbed to progress and thimble producing moved to Birmingham, England by 1800. The makeup of brass also upgraded during this period. A different formula made it more malleable and suitable for a different manufacturing method called "deep drawing" that used less metal. This brought down the cost.
We are all aware that sewing is the primary use of the thimble. But did you know that a a little larger thimble, usually two ounces, was used to measure spirits? And did you know that 19th century prostitutes used them to tap on their clients windows and Victorian schoolmistresses used them to knock recalcitrant students on the head?
Although they have become primarily decorative, collectors interest in modern thimbles has not decreased. Thimbles originally created in silver are being reproduced in pewter thanks to new processes, developed in the 1950s that allow more elaborate design. New thimbles are being issued to commemorate everything from football teams to Disney characters. Every tourist destination offers memorial thimbles to tourists.
Thimble collecting is an remarkably popular hobby worldwide. A great number of thimbles are honestly priced and easily available. Men, women and children collect them. Some collectors are interested in the history of thimbles while others collect them for their decorative significance. The unpretentious thimble has become a star. Some admire its common origins and some its new found incarnations. It is still one of the most versatile and sound tools ever invented, born of necessity.
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