Securing the Safety Pin’s Role in American Industrial History: A Study of This Object and the People Attached to It

Abstract

The American safety pin industry has a rich history in Waterbury, Connecticut and the eastern U.S. that is mentioned in articles and briefly in town-related history books, but a more detailed history of this industry does not exist except in company records. This research project aims to provide a more in-depth history of this industry while sharing stories about those involved in its development. Another purpose of this project is to examine safety pin uses, which have changed over the last one hundred and seventy-five years, and this object’s symbolism and social connotations. The interdisciplinary nature of this dissertation requires the use of several qualitative techniques; however, the approach will be mainly hermeneutic in nature with the emphasis on textual analysis through a historical lens and a semiotics approach. (“Text” here is being defined in its broadest terms, not just as written documents but also as artifacts, including—but not limited to—safety pins, safety pin packaging, machines that manufacture safety pins, clothing and accessories decorated with or constructed from safety pins, and artwork depicting or assembled from safety pins.) One main finding is that this small industry had an enormous impact on not only those who worked for it but also the surrounding community. Another finding is that the safety pin is infused with gendered meaning and socioeconomic symbolism. These findings have implications for how we consider the impact small businesses and industries have on people’s relationships and lives, and the social fabric and economies of their communities. They also suggest that small seemingly insignificant objects help humans construct meaning in their lives; therefore, it is important that we pay attention to these objects, how they shape humans’ lives, and what the stories they help us tell about ourselves.

Disciplines

American Studies | Sociology

Subject Area

American history; American studies; Gender studies; Sociology

Department

Humanities (HUM)

First Advisor

Budd, Michael A.

Second Advisor

McMaster, MaryKate

Third Advisor

Horan, Jennifer

Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Ph.D.

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