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The Thimble 101
A thimble is a cap that fits on the finger to guard it when pushing a needle during embroidering or sewing. The word, derived from Middle English, literally means "thumb shield".
The thimble has a long past. The oldest extant thimble is Roman, found in the city ruins of Pompeii. It is made of bronze. But, the Etruscans, who pre-date the Romans, are known to have made other thimbles. Primitive thimbles of bone and leather most likely also existed because thimbles have been utilized by every known culture. These thimbles didn't survive.
Through the years, thimbles have evolved in a number of ways. Both the materials used and the means of production have changed. Thimbles have gained new uses and become primarily 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 cloth so a strong, thick bronze or iron thimble, called a "skep", was required to prevent injury.
By the fifteenth century, fabric became more finely woven and needlework became more refined. Thimbles became thin walled. These thimbles were usually made of brass and imported from Germany, a brass-making center. During this time, new methods of manufacturing thimbles were introduced. Thimbles were being made from sheet metal. The new thimbles also contained decorative motifs. The cap was separate and attached to the cylinder later. The new thimbles were taller and the top was flatter.
During the 16th and 17th centuries Holland became the new center of thimble production. However, in the late seventeenth century, John Lofting moved thimble making to Islington, England where the brass industry was currently established. He began to produce thimbles in a scale unheard of before. Next, he moved his plant to Great Marlow, and used water power to double production.
By the early eighteenth century, he was producing around 2 million thimbles annually. But he too succumbed to progress and thimble manufacturing moved to Birmingham, England by 1800. The composition of brass also modernized 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 dropped the cost.
We are all aware that sewing is the principal 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 for the most part decorative, collectors interest in modern thimbles has not waned. 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 souvenir thimbles to tourists.
Thimble collecting is an very established hobby worldwide. A great number of thimbles are honestly priced and readily available. Men, women and children collect them. Some collectors are interested in the history of thimbles while others collect them for their decorative value. 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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