Buttons are circular pieces with eyelets that are sewn on one side of the garment and pass through the buttonholes on the other side of the garment to fasten the garment. It is a daily clothing item that humans often accompany. According to archaeological findings, as early as 4000 BC, the Persians could make buttons from small processed stones. The ancient Egyptians also made buttons of gold and silver, which were sewn around the collar as an embellishment; the ancient Greeks used buttons and loops on the shoulders to fasten the tunic. However, the decorative function of buttons at this time was greater than the practical value. It was not until the invention of buttonholes in the thirteenth century that the function of buttons was greatly improved. In addition, clothes were generally cut according to the shape of the human body at that time, and the function of buttons became very important. It is important, and the trend of fashion will be difficult to stop. In this way, buttons are also divided into high and low like people's background. The rich and powerful all sew valuable gold, silver or ivory on their clothes. Buttons with their own names to show their wealth and status, and even when they walk into the gate of heaven, they should leave the buttons engraved with their own names as a legacy to future generations. However, the flat-headed people have no such ability. They can only sew the cheapest things from animal bones or wood, and they do not have to think about what to contribute to their brothers and sisters, because they also need wisdom and creativity. The miracles of labor make up for the hardships of life.
In the Zhou Dynasty of our country, the system of tops and bottoms has been adopted. Both men and women wear two pieces of clothing with tops and bottoms. The etiquette requirements are also quite strict. There are officials in the court who are in charge of making dresses. Civil and military officials must wear dresses when they are doing ceremonies. At that time, the use of clothing was relatively standardized, and the clothing system was quite complete. In the Zhou Dynasty, the "Zhou Li", "Book of Rites" and other books that reflected the Zhou Dynasty etiquette appeared in the "New" character, "New" is a knot that is intertwined with each other, that is, a knot. According to the copper engraved buttons of the Western Zhou Dynasty in my collection and the archaeological discoveries in my country, buttons were used in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Among the Warring States cultural relics unearthed in Shizhai Mountain, Jinning, Yunnan, buttons with round, oval, animal head and irregular shapes have been made of orchid, apple green and light gray turquoise. Each has one or two small holes. Some are engraved with patterns, unique in shape, gorgeous and colorful, and have a wonderful waxy luster. In the collection of buttons now collected, there are still simple buttons made of small stones, shellfish, animal horns, walnuts and coconut shells. It can be seen that in the Western Zhou Dynasty, some people already used buttons.
In the 14th century, the Chinese brought buttons to Europe, which was an exciting festival for Europeans who were still ragged. At that time, it was an honor and a privilege to be able to tie the undressed robe quite neatly, and the man no longer played with the cloth belt that was not very obedient and disrespectful, and his demeanor also followed. In order to show their wealth, some dignitaries use precious materials such as gold and silver, pearls, gems, diamonds, rhino horn, antelope horn, and ivory to make buttons. Because of the decorations, their attitude became a little arrogant. In France, there is a record that King Louis XIV used 13,000 precious buttons to make a royal robe. Those very beautiful women have few users, and they prefer to sit in the hall to receive friends and relatives after dressing up. At best, the buttons are hung on the waist and play the role of clothing, making it feel that it is just right for my identity.
By the 16th century, among noble women, it was popular to sew a large number of buttons as knots and decorations from the elbows to the wrists, and from the neck to the waist. At the beginning of the 18th century, with the establishment of button processing factories in Britain, Germany, France and other countries, buttons with embroidery patterns shined on clothing with design concepts, and tin alloy buttons had replaced other products and became The buttons used by the public and the decoration of copper buttons on military uniforms make the beautiful uniforms shine. In short, during this period, button materials can be described as everything, such as shells, pearls, glass, crystal, leather, buffalo horn, tortoiseshell, bamboo and wood, etc. It is dazzling and less than 50 years have passed. There are cut steel buttons, which are carved with multiple facets on the steel billet, so they are bright, clean, delicate and beautiful; this kind of button is in the hands of romantic French people, and it is continued to interpret the exquisite through-hole pattern.
In the early 19th century, inexpensive die-cast steel buttons with through holes replaced the former. In 1830, machine-made cloth buttons replaced hand-made cloth buttons, and at the same time, a heat-remodeled, dyed button using animal horns and hooves also entered the popular stage.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the development of science and technology also promoted the emergence of button manufacturing materials. Now more than 80% of the buttons in the world use synthetic resins as raw materials. Plastic products such as cellulose, polystyrene, and polyethylene are available in a variety of styles, with bright colors and low cost. At present, in addition to buttons made of synthetic resin, there are also a lot of button products: stone buttons, which are a kind of gemstone of poor grade. Because of their beautiful color and high hardness, they can be processed into discs and embedded in metal bases. Above, a set of noble and elegant tiger eye stone buttons can be sold for a higher price.
Electroplated metal silk buttons have always had a high market share since they appeared in Birmingham, the capital of British manufacturing in the 16th century. One of the silver-plated buttons can be sold for more than 5 pounds.
Shell buttons, this is a kind of respect for returning to simplicity. Once upon a time, it has been used in the field of circulation as human currency, but with the development of history, its measured value has long been away from society, but it has been made into decorations. The buttons are still the same, flashing natural beauty. The Japanese have a special liking for buttons made of white butterfly shells and black butterfly shells, and regard them as the top quality buttons.
In addition, some expensive buttons often appear on the clothing of many rich people. At this time, these buttons have lost their shirting and become more decorative, giving people the feeling of spending money.
Regardless of how small the button is, people can often see the characteristics of a nation through it. For example, buttons painted with vermilion and engraved with complex patterns are special products of China, ceramic buttons decorated with beautiful paintings are famous products of France; colored glass buttons are representative works of Bohemia; ivory buttons are made from the fruit of the South American tree palm tree. , baked in the kiln, full of wild style, etc. In short, a small button can not only bring countless conveniences to life, but also add infinite brilliance to clothing, making people cherish it.
Buttons are also a culture, just as most wealthy citizens can influence a community, the Western role has always played a role that many people hold in awe, almost to the point of selfless admiration, and even the habit of sewing buttons on the right is copied True, this is the origin of why the button is on the right for men. After a long time, I still feel very comfortable.
The reason why the ladies button is on the left is that long ago, those blue-eyed and tall-nosed ladies who lived in the West were still in a pampered environment. Those little buttons are included. Otherwise, they will have corsets, hats, stockings, etc. in an unseemly mess under the eyes of people, so there is a maid lying next door waiting for the young lady to be ready to take the young lady. Dressed up beautifully. In order to make it easier for the maid to button the buttons, the buttons of women's clothing are reversed from those of men.
In addition, some people also give the button a romantic meaning, the second button is the best gift for couples. The second button, above the heart, is for the person to whom the heart is bound. That is, give it to the person you love the most. Because the second button is biased towards the heart, so the second button represents the heart relatively!
The story of the most famous button is closely related to the fate of Monsieur Napoleon. Napoleon's life is full of great legends, and many people admire his mighty power to conquer the world, and there are even countless people who kiss his tomb. "There is no greater man in the world than him," Churchill, the former British Prime Minister, once said of Napoleon. This military genius has been in battle throughout his life, creating many famous battles where less wins more, and some battles are still regarded as classics and passed down by word of mouth. However, his failure to fight against Russia in 1812 changed his fate, and the First French Empire has been in decline since then. On May 9, 1812, Napoleon, who had achieved a series of brilliant victories on the European continent, left Paris and led a mighty 600,000 army to expedition to Russia. Relying on advanced tactics and fierce artillery fire, the French army drove straight in, and in just a few months, they went straight to Huanglong - the capital city of Moscow. However, the Russians implemented measures to clear walls and clear fields, burning houses and burying food, and the whole city became a dead city with no one. Away from the homeland, the French army was immediately faced with many difficulties. When the French entered the city, the city center was raging on fire, three-quarters of Moscow city was burned down, and more than 6,000 houses were reduced to ashes. The Russian Tsar Alexander took measures to clear the country, so that the French army far away from the mainland fell into a food shortage, lost hay and oats, and a large number of military horses starved to death on the way. The cold climate made this grim situation even worse. Under the pressure of hunger and cold, in the winter of 1812, Napoleon's army was forced to withdraw from Moscow, and 600,000 soldiers were frozen to death along the way. .
What caused Napoleon's defeat? The world often attributes its failure to the fact that the battle lines were too long and logistics were not available. However, a chemist in Canada recently proposed a new solution in his book that the small button was the culprit that led to the annihilation of Napoleon's army of 600,000.
According to the American Discovery Channel, Penny Lecto, a famous chemist and director of the Department of Science and Arts at Capilano College in Canada, disclosed in his new book "Napoleon's Buttons: 17 Molecules that Changed World History" that buttons turned into powder. Probably played a major role in Napoleon's fiasco.
According to the book, tin buttons were used on the uniforms of Napoleon's army in Russia at that time, and in cold climates, tin products would undergo chemical changes and become powder. Because there are no buttons on their clothes, facing the snow and ice, the soldiers are all open-minded. Under such harsh conditions, many people were frozen to death, and some people died of typhoid fever. Penney's new book cites eyewitness accounts from some contemporary Russians, such as a Russian who described the retreat of Napoleon's troops: "The men were like a bunch of devils, wrapped in women's cloaks, strange carpets. Fragments or a coat full of burnt holes." Penny said: "There is no doubt that the cold temperature of the winter of 1812 was the main factor that caused the collapse of Napoleon's army in Russia, and the variable properties of tin at low temperatures were exactly Napoleon's soldiers. The real reason for being forced to wear these weird clothes."
It seems that the role of the button cannot be underestimated. Sometimes it exceeds the power of the cannon, causing an indestructible army to quickly collapse, and a great commander is wise.