A belt buckle is a buckle, a clasp for fastening two ends, as of straps or a belt, in which a device attached to one of the ends is fitted or coupled to the other. It is said to have been invented during the Elizabethan era by Italian blacksmith Tomaso Kellioni. Others say the Persians introduced it to the Romans after their conquest.
In the United States, removable, ornamental belt "buckles" that generally attach to the original buckle are common.
Belt Buckles as fashion has risen to prominence, especially in the United States, over the past five years through the two innovations in the belt buckle industry. The classic Western Belt Buckle has secured a loyal following of collectors that have kept interest in the trade alive. Additionally, the Belt Buckle as an extension for gadgets and other electronic devices has renewed interest in this piece of clothing.
The word ‘buckle’ (from Latin buccula) is a clasp used for fastening two things together, such as the ends of a belt, or for retaining the end of a strap. Before the invention of the zipper, buckles were commonly used to fasten boots and other shoes.
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Buckles were used in ancient Greece and Rome, particularly in military equipment. Buckles were first used commonly in the cheek strap of the Roman Galea, hence the word origin from the Latin bucca–cheek. Because of the simplicity and durability of the buckle , it became popular in harnesses and embroidery, especially in shoes and boots. It was commonly used as a typical clasp for clothing until the zipper was invented.
Today, the buckle is most commonly used for belts, although it is still used in shoes and particularly boots. Tanker boots employ the use of buckles because of the disadvantages of laces. Buckles can also be seen on backpacks, watches and other wrist jewelry, or for ornamental purposes on other various objects. Buckles are also commonly seen in modern gothic fashion.
You say you are a belt buckle aficionado, but are you acquainted with the history behind these fascinating creations? As you can imagine, these chic modern accoutrements to your wardrobe did not start out as such. Rather, they arose from their basic utility. The story goes back to the 1600s, and the trials and tribulations of the British maritime industry.
These were the days before World War I, when the era belonged to the British Empire. This was also before the advent of the railroad, which had a hand in diminishing the importance of the British fleet. Just like the railroad (and so many other inventions throughout human history), the belt Buckles came about as a response to the needs of both the military and the merchant class.
British sailors, faced oftentimes with brutal weather out at sea, used eyelets and string to fasten their clothes, even though a goldsmith had recently invented the button. These eyelets were woefully inadequate once you were soaked, however. It was at this time that a seaman invented the very first belt buckle, and soon it became all rage. Sailors attached them to leather belts and found them useful for holding up water-logged clothes, as well as easy to remove even with shivering fingers.
The Puritans separatists who left Britain for the New World believed buttons to actually be sinful, and popularized the use of cheap belt buckle (even today some groups like the Amish still hold fast-no pun intended--to the idea that buttons are inappropriate). Two centuries later, Americans value belt buckles for much more than their utility. Indeed, today belt buckles serve as a creative means of self-expression. What a long, strange trip it's been for the belt buckle.
