Tech History Made on April 10, 1849

On this day in 1849 a small device was patented that we all have used at some point in our lives, the safety pin. They say necessity is the mother of invention, Walter Hunt didn't need a safety pin he needed money to pay a debt. So within 3 hours he developed the safety pin out of a single piece of wire. It vastly improved upon the hinged models of the day and he sold the patent the same day. Hunt is an interesting fellow who developed many things: a forest saw, a gong for fire engines, a hard coal burning stove, a road sweeping machine, a paper collar for a shirt, an ice plow, bicycle improvements, a knife sharpener, a streetcar bell, and an advanced sewing machine. In 1849 Hunt also developed a repeating rifle. Despite all his great ideas the one made in a fit of desperation is how he will be remembered.