Hook-and-eye closure
Encyclopedia
A hook-and-eye closure is a very simple and secure method of fastening garments together. It consists of a metal hook, commonly made of flattened wire bent to the required shape, and a eye (or "eyelet") of the same material into which the hook fits.
This form of fastening first appears under the name of "crochet and loop" in 14th century England.
The first reference to the modern term appears in Aubrey's Brief Lives in 1697, which describes a doublet
and breeches
being attached with "hook and eies". Hooks and eyes were made by hand from wire, until the city of Redditch
, England, already famous for needle manufacture, was the first to machine-manufacture them. In 1643 a woman in the American colony of Maryland
is recorded to have paid £10 worth of tobacco for hooks and eyes.
The hook and eye played an important role in women's corsetry
; used in rows, they distribute the stress involved in restrictive garments.
It was not until the first part of the 19th century that the industry was furthered in the United States. One of the greatest improvements in the attachment was the "Delong hump", patented in 1889 by the Richardson & Delong Hook and Eye Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which was a raised elevation or "hump" in the wire hook that prevented the eye from slipping out of the hook, "except at the will of the wearer".
In 1893, Marie Tucek patented the “Breast Supporter” – the first garment similar to the modern-day bra, which used separate pockets for the breasts and straps that went over the shoulder and fastened by hook-and-eye closures to the center front of the garment.
E.C. Beecher patented his hook-and-eye in June of 1900 with the U.S. Patent Office; in 1902, an updated version was submitted that consisted of an attachable hook-and-eye, without any stitching required.. A similar hook and eye for brassieres was patented in 1902 by the M.E. Company. .
The fasteners were eventually manufactured in the form of hook-and-eye tape, consisting of two tapes, one equipped with hooks and the other equipped with eyelets so that the two tapes could be "zipped" together side-by-side. To construct the garment, sections of hook-and-eye tape were sewn into either side of the garment closure. Today this labor-saving method comes on either silk or cotton tape, depending on the firmness and strength needed.
In addition to their application on brassieres, bustiers, corsets and other fine lingerie, a single hook-and-eye closure is often sewn above the top of the zipper to "finish" it and take stress off the fastening on a skirt
, dress or pants
. They are generally provided at one gross to a box and range in size from No. 1 small, to No. 10 large.
History
The hook and eye closure has a long history and is still used today, primarily on brassieres.This form of fastening first appears under the name of "crochet and loop" in 14th century England.
The first reference to the modern term appears in Aubrey's Brief Lives in 1697, which describes a doublet
Doublet
Doublet may refer to:*Doublet , a man's snug-fitting buttoned jacket that was worn from the late 14th century to the mid 17th century*Doublet , an assembled gem composed in two sections, such as a garnet overlaying green glass...
and breeches
Breeches
Breeches are an item of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles...
being attached with "hook and eies". Hooks and eyes were made by hand from wire, until the city of Redditch
Redditch
Redditch is a town and local government district in north-east Worcestershire, England, approximately south of Birmingham. The district had a population of 79,216 in 2005. In the 19th century it became the international centre for the needle and fishing tackle industry...
, England, already famous for needle manufacture, was the first to machine-manufacture them. In 1643 a woman in the American colony of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
is recorded to have paid £10 worth of tobacco for hooks and eyes.
The hook and eye played an important role in women's corsetry
Corset
A corset is a garment worn to hold and shape the torso into a desired shape for aesthetic or medical purposes...
; used in rows, they distribute the stress involved in restrictive garments.
It was not until the first part of the 19th century that the industry was furthered in the United States. One of the greatest improvements in the attachment was the "Delong hump", patented in 1889 by the Richardson & Delong Hook and Eye Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which was a raised elevation or "hump" in the wire hook that prevented the eye from slipping out of the hook, "except at the will of the wearer".
In 1893, Marie Tucek patented the “Breast Supporter” – the first garment similar to the modern-day bra, which used separate pockets for the breasts and straps that went over the shoulder and fastened by hook-and-eye closures to the center front of the garment.
E.C. Beecher patented his hook-and-eye in June of 1900 with the U.S. Patent Office; in 1902, an updated version was submitted that consisted of an attachable hook-and-eye, without any stitching required.. A similar hook and eye for brassieres was patented in 1902 by the M.E. Company. .
The fasteners were eventually manufactured in the form of hook-and-eye tape, consisting of two tapes, one equipped with hooks and the other equipped with eyelets so that the two tapes could be "zipped" together side-by-side. To construct the garment, sections of hook-and-eye tape were sewn into either side of the garment closure. Today this labor-saving method comes on either silk or cotton tape, depending on the firmness and strength needed.
In addition to their application on brassieres, bustiers, corsets and other fine lingerie, a single hook-and-eye closure is often sewn above the top of the zipper to "finish" it and take stress off the fastening on a skirt
Skirt
A skirt is a tube- or cone-shaped garment that hangs from the waist and covers all or part of the legs.In the western world, skirts are usually considered women's clothing. However, there are exceptions...
, dress or pants
Trousers
Trousers are an item of clothing worn on the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles, covering both legs separately...
. They are generally provided at one gross to a box and range in size from No. 1 small, to No. 10 large.