I’m about to make a somewhat humiliating admission. I’ve always used safety pins to secure a broken zipper, prevent a hem from falling, and even make emergency jewelry (don’t ask).
However, are you aware of the small hole at the end? The one at the coil’s right? No, I didn’t give it a second thought. Like, ever. I assumed it was merely a design element.
Perhaps it serves aesthetic purposes. As it happens, it has a function. This function can be described as genuine, deliberate, and even genius-like.
And if you’re like me, which is to say, most people, you most likely didn’t know that.
Let’s investigate it. Because of this tiny safety pinhole? Once you understand why it’s there, you won’t be able to ignore its subtle genius.
The Design of the Safety Pin, at a Glance
To provide perspective for our world, let’s quickly review the workings of a safety pin before diving right into Bafflement Hole.
It appears to be a very rudimentary instrument at first view, essentially a bent length of wire with a clasp. However, it’s incredibly well-designed.
One end is plainly sharp, and the hole is located in the small loop or coil on the other end.
The coil produces tension. This tension prevents the pin from suddenly popping open and stabbing you in the thigh during a meeting by keeping it closed when you close it.
The part about the clasp? The really sharp end is tucked away nicely because it’s all safety stuff, which is why it’s called that. But let’s get back to that coil.
You see, its shape isn’t designed to keep it springy inside.
So What Is That Tiny Hole Actually For?
The safety pin’s hole is actually a component of a spring mechanism. You know, that coil with the hole? It’s where the wire for the pin was attached during construction.
Think of it as the “beginning point,” similar to the wire being tightly wound.
It’s more than just a production leftover, though; it really aids in maintaining the spring tension.
The hole basically allows the pin to stay flexible over time. It ensures that the pin effortlessly returns to its original position when you open and close it, and it also aids in regulating the tension of the coiled cable.
Without the hole, the entire construction would be a little less stable. A touch unsteady, perhaps. And those dubious safety pins are the last thing we need in our lives, am I correct?
A Rock for Precision Manufacturing
Don’t worry, I won’t go into too much detail, but let’s get a little geeky for a while. Machines must precisely shape metal wire to create a safety pin.
The hole acts as an anchor point during this stage. It would have been difficult to create that coil reliably without it. Think of it as a pinhole for guidance.
It maintains the wire’s stability while it is wound into the characteristic taut coil that gives the safety pin its strength and snap.
To maintain tension and torque across each spring, many spring-based devices use an analogous feature during assembly.
Despite its seemingly insignificant size, that tiny hole is actually performing a significant amount of work in the background.
Thought It Was Only For Decoration
You’re not alone if you assumed the hole was just… there. It doesn’t appear to be working.
If you’re not a mechanical engineer or inclined to scrutinize everything, you probably never did, but it’s small and discrete. It’s easy to overlook the amount of attention that went into the design because it’s so simple.
Furthermore, it’s not as though there is a tag on the container that reads, “Hey! This is for tension control!” The majority of us rip open a safety pin pack and begin pinning.
Can You Use the Hole for Something Else?
Indeed, that is the case. Despite the hole’s lack of design, some creative individuals use it to attach safety pins to various objects.
They do this by tacking the pin into something to keep it from slipping, passing a ribbon through it, or wrapping a tiny piece of wire around it. Although it’s not its primary purpose, it’s a nice extra feature if you’re feeling creative.
Additionally, it helps with precise placement when sewing or embroidering. (Some people weave thread through the hole for stitching tasks in order to better anchor the pin.)
We love a good multitasker, but that wasn’t the original plan.
Fun Fact: The Safety Pin Was a Happy Accident (Sort Of)
Walter Hunt created the safety pin in 1849, which is when the item first appeared on the scene. He actually paid off a $15 bill in three hours. Indeed, it is.
He even filed for a patent on it, but he later sold the rights for $400. It’s safe to suggest that once the incident blew up, he could have reconsidered his choice.
What’s strange is that Hunt had no idea that almost 150 years later, this tiny hole in the coil would turn into an oddity. However, here we are.
The Best Kind of Everyday Engineering
To be honest, safety pins are an incredibly functional design turn. They are inexpensive, straightforward, and surprisingly useful.
From fashion fixes and first aid to DIY projects and diaper duty, they have proven their durability over time.
This is partly due to the small design details, such as the holes in a safety pin. It’s one of those “you don’t see it until you really see it” type of things.
Doesn’t it make you wonder how many other everyday tools have undiscovered features? For instance, consider the small groove located at the bottom of plastic bottles, which serves as pressure control, or the hole in the pot handle, which is specifically designed for your spoon. Engineering is just plain awesome.
The Hole’s There for a Reason
Congratulations if you’ve read this far; you’re now among the 2% of people who understand the purpose of a safety pin’s hole. In summary:
It is an essential part of the spring system.
It permits friction and retaliation.
It serves as a benchmark throughout the production process.
If you’re crafty, it might even have some helpful do-it-yourself uses.
Therefore, give thanks to that inconspicuous hole the next time you need a safety pin, whether it’s to repair a wardrobe malfunction or secure it to your punk jacket. It’s accomplishing more than you anticipated.
And who knows, you might even gamify your chances of impressing someone with your incredibly particular knowledge or winning a random trivia game. In either case, you are officially in the know.
