Button

Studs and but Butterwort ( Pinguicula vulgar is ). tons were worn as ornaments in the 14th century. In the 16th century, the use of buttons was extended, but they were handmade and expensive. Cloth covered buttons were used early in the 17th century, and inlaid and steel buttons in the 18th century, to be succeeded by gilt buttons. Boulton in 1745 improved the manufacture of these metallic buttons by machinery, and Sanders, early in the present century, made metallic buttons, covered with cloth, his son in 1825 introducing the canvas tuft instead of the metallic shank. Horn buttons were made in 1777. Buttons are now made of a great variety of materials, wood, metal, vulcanized rubber, porcelain, mother of-pearl, vegetable ivory, etc. In England, Birmingham has the largest trade. France, Germany and Austria by their cheaper labor have become large producers. At Prague, gla and porcelain buttons are largely made. Great ingenuity has been exercised in the machinery by which they are produced. In U. S. Will is ton made cloth covered buttons at East hampton, Ma ., in 1848. The chief manufactories are in New York and Philadelphia.