In 1849, Walter Hunt’s debt troubles led to the modern safety pin being formed
etimes.in / May 02, 2026, 23:30 (IST)
A 19th-century machinist, Walter Hunt, invented the safety pin out of desperation to repay a $15 debt. His ingenious design, featuring a spring and catch, revolutionized fasteners by preventing accidental pricks. Though Hunt sold the patent for a quick profit, his simple yet effective creation became a mass-produced marvel, impacting everyday life and even evolving into a cultural symbol.