Safety pin

[3] The fibula, a form of brooch, was invented by the Mycenaeans in the Greek region of Peloponnesus between the 14th and 13th Century BC, and is considered an early precursor to a safety pin since it was used in a similar manner.

The safety pin included a clasp that covered the point and kept it from opening, and a circular twist at the bend to act as a spring and hold it in place.

[5] Charles Rowley (Birmingham, England) independently patented a similar safety pin in October 1849,[6] though they are no longer made.

[11] The laryngologist Dr. Chevalier Jackson devised special instruments for removing swallowed safety pins.

[15] This is disputed by a number of artists from the first wave of British punks, most notably Johnny Rotten, who insists that safety pins were originally incorporated for more practical reasons, for example, to remedy "the arse of your pants falling out.

The safety pin subsequently has become an image associated with punk rock by media and popular culture outlets.

[17] Safety pins worn visibly on clothing became a symbol of solidarity with victims of racist and xenophobic speech and violence after the Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom in 2016.

Some commentators and activists derided the wearing of safety pins as "slacktivism," while others argued it was useful when connected with other, more concrete political actions.