Origin of the Thimble

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 20, 1915

Origin of the Thimble

THE modern thimble dates from 1684, when a goldsmith, Nicholas Benschoten, of Amsterdam, sent one as a birthday present to a lady friend with the dedication: “To My frouw van Renselaer, this little object which I have invented and executed as a protective covering for her industrious fingers.”

The invention proved such a success that all who saw it tried to obtain similar ones, and the goldsmith had enough to do to supply them. An Englishman named John Lotting took one specimen home and copied it by thousands.

At first thimbles were rather costly, and only well-to-do people could afford them; but afterwards when made of lead and other common metals by machinery, they became very cheap.

The Dutch fingerhat (finger hood) became in England the “thumb bell,” from its bell-like shape. It was originally worn on the thumb to parry the thrust of the needle pointing through the stuff, and not, as at present, to impel it.

Fashion in thimbles is very luxurious in the East. Wealthy Chinese ladies have thimbles carved out of mother-of-pearl, and sometimes the top is a single precious stone. Thimbles with an agate or onyx mounted in gold are often seen, as well as thimbles incrusted with rubies.

— Christian Observer.