A thimble is a cover that fits over the finger to guard it when pushing a needle when darning or sewing. The word, comes from Old English, literally means "thumb shield".

The thimble has a long history. The oldest existing thimble is Latin, found in the ruins of Pompeii. It is bronze. Still, the Etruscans, who pre-date the Romans, are known to have made other metal thimbles. Crude thimbles of bone and leather probably also existed because thimbles have been used by every known civilization. These thimbles did not survive the centuries.

Throughout history, thimbles have evolved in many 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. Early thimbles had to be sturdy because homespun fabric was coarse and needles were rough and crude. 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, material became more finely woven and needlework became more refined. Thimbles became thinner and lighter. These thimbles were commonly made of brass and imported from Nuremberg, a brass-making center. Simultaneously, innovative methods of producing thimbles were introduced. Thimbles were being made from sheet metal. This new style of thimbles also contained decorative motifs. The cap was sometimes separate and attached to the cylinder later. These new thimbles were taller and the top was flatter.

During the 16th and 17th century Holland became the new seat of thimble manufacturing. However, in the late 17th century, John Lofting moved thimble making toEngland where the brass-working industry was by now established. He began to manufacture thimbles in a scale unheard of before. Later, he moved his factory to Great Marlow, and used water power to and doubled production.

By the early 18th century, he was producing two million thimbles each year. But he too succumbed to progress and thimble producing moved to Birmingham, England by 1800. The composition of brass also improved during this period. A new formula made it more malleable and suitable for a different manufacturing method called "deep drawing" � that used less metal. This lowered the cost.

We are all aware that sewing is the prime use of the thimble. But did you know that a insignificantly 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 predominately decorative, collectorscuriosity 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 detailed design. New series of thimbles are being issued to commemorate everything from football teams to Disney characters. Every tourist destination offers memento thimbles to tourists.

Thimble collecting is an extremely established hobby worldwide. Plenty thimbles are fairly priced and easily attainable. Men, women and children collect them. Some collectors are interested in the history of thimbles while others collect them for their decorative value. The lowly thimble has become a star. Some admire its humble origins and some its new found incarnations. It is still one of the most versatile and down-to-earth tools ever invented, born of necessity.

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