Button Mike Ness 074

"One Inch Button Badges" have been produced in the U.S. at the end of the 19th century first. They have been a low-cost alternative to the pricy medallions and pendants.

By the invention of celluloid through John Wesley Hyatt in the year 1869 the worlds first semi-synthetic plastic has seen the light of day. In the 19th and in the 1st half of the 20th century celluloid was used as thermoplastics. This material was also used for example for combs, handle of knifes, toys and buttons. Today acetate plastic is used for the production of buttons.

Some of the first buttons, which were released in Great Britain, were produced for the celebration of the 60. crown jubilee of Queen Victorian the year 1897.

One of the biggest producers of "One Inch Button Badges" in Great Britain in the 1st half of the 20th century was the business of the New Jersey Whitehead Hoag. The business has become known by the production of the "Boer War Emblem". With messages like "Only One Order Forward!" and "England Expects Every Man To Do His Duty" were very popular in a country, which was gripped by a wave of patriotism.

With the beginning of the Sex Pistols and Punk in the year 1976 the button grew to an essential accessory. In the following 10 years people all over the world represented their loyalty to a band, music genres or youth culture by wearing "One Inch Button Badges".

The button with the worldwide biggest propagation is supposably the smiling sun with the Anti-Nuclear message. It was developed in 1975 from the citizens' initiative against atomic energy in Denmark. Since then this button was highly appreciated with a total quantity of approx. 20 to 30 million and in more than 40 languages all over the world.

Even though the buttons lost some of their popularity, they are still there. Many people like to wear them and the buttons are still widely-spread .... even today.

Each badges has a diameter of 26 mm (1 Inch).