An Explanation Of A Thimble
A thimble is a cap that fits over the finger to protect it when pushing a needle during embroidering or sewing. The word, comes from English, literally means "thumb shield".
The thimble has a lengthy past. The oldest extant thimble is Roman, found in the ruins of Pompeii. It is bronze. However, the Etruscans, who pre-date the Romans, are known to have made other thimbles. Simple thimbles of leather and bone likely also existed because thimbles have been utilized by every known culture. These thimbles did not survive the centuries.
Through the years, thimbles have evolved in many of ways. Both the the means of production and the materials used have changed. Thimbles have gained new uses and become fundamentally decorative and collectible rather than merely practical. Ancient thimbles had to be sturdy because handspun fabric was coarse and needles were rough and unfinished. It was difficult to push the thread through the fabric 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 thin walled. These thimbles were ordinarily made of metal and imported from Nuremberg, a brass-making center. During this time, new methods of producing 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. This new style of thimbles were taller and the top was flatter.
During the sixteenth and seventeenth century Holland became the new center of thimble production. However, in the late 17th century, John Lofting moved thimble production to Islington, England where the brass industry was now established. He began to make thimbles in a scale unprecedented before. Next, he moved his plant to Great Marlow, and used water power to double production.
By the early 18th century, he was producing 2 million thimbles annually. But he too succumbed to progress and thimble manufacturing moved to Birmingham, England by 18 hundred. The fabrication of brass also changed during this period. A different formula made it more malleable and suitable for a different manufacturing process called "deep drawing" that used less metal. This lowered the cost.
We are all aware that sewing is the primary use of the thimble. But did you know that a slightly 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 generally decorative, collectorsintrigue 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 detailed design. New thimbles are being issued to commemorate everything from football teams to Disney characters. Every tourist destination offers souvenir thimbles to tourists.
Thimble collecting is an extremely popular hobby worldwide. Many thimbles are honestly priced and easily for sale. Men, women and children collect them. Some collectors are interested in the history of thimbles while others collect them for their decorative significance. The humble 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 practical tools ever invented, born of necessity.
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