Every year when July 21st rolls around, we remember at Everyone Loves Buttons® where the pin-back button craze began.
Pin-back Button Beginnings
While the official birthday is credited to be July 21, 1896, the history goes beyond that date. Buttons were historically used to display political affiliations. This includes George Washington in 1789 for his inauguration, and Abraham Lincoln in 1860, who had his photo on his buttons. These buttons were sewn onto clothing or worn as a pendant.
The button was then modernized by a gentleman named Benjamin S. Whitehead. He had the first patent on the transparent film you see today that protects the button from scratching. Then on July 21, 1896, Whitehead & Hoag were granted a patent for the metal pin that goes on the back of the button. Whitehead & Hoag, based out of Newark, New Jersey, was the first button maker.
Even in the late 1800s, buttons were seen as a way to help companies and political candidates alike, advertise.
While the printing methods and the way of creating the buttons may be different, the original design is what is essentially used today.
Pin-back Buttons in Advertising
While they were used as political displays, buttons made their way into pop culture at the turn of the century. In 1898, buttons were used as prizes included in tobacco and chewing gum products. This was the beginning of using buttons to bump up sales. Buttons were also used as prizes in various Kellogg’s Pep Cereal.
Buttons over the years have certainly become collectibles and are able to mark moments in time. They are able to communicate what people may have been advocating for, supporting, or just what they found cool to wear.
Our History
Our button story began in 1997 in San Diego, CA., and has grown to become one of the top custom pin-back button manufacturers in the country. In March 2005 we expanded our button manufacturing capabilities and relocated to Phoenix, AZ. In 2008 we became a Nationally Certified Women Business Enterprise (WBENC). In September of 2017, we moved into our NEW modern button facility where our legendary customer service approach and production capabilities help you get the custom button size and qty. you want when you need them, on time all the time. “American Made Matters”, so we only use quality made in USA button parts along with state-of-the-art electric button machinery which is also made in the USA.
The button is apart of American culture. Join on in by saying Happy Birthday to the button by ordering some today!
Questions?
If you have any questions about your custom button order or the ordering process, you can always give us a call at 623-445-9975, or send us an email at sales@custombuttons.com. You can also reach us through the chat feature on our website during business hours (8am-5pm Arizona Time). We are here to help in every step of your button ordering process, from beginning your order to shipping your buttons for delivery.
As always, we are in this business because Everyone Loves Buttons®!
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