A thimble is a cap that fits over the finger to protect it when pushing a needle during quilting or sewing. The word, comes from Middle English, literally means "thumb shield".

The thimble has a long past. The oldest existent thimble is Italian, found in the ruins of Pompeii. It is bronze. However, the Etruscans, who came before the Romans, are known to have made other thimbles. Primitive thimbles of bone and leather most likely also existed because thimbles have been employed by every known culture. These thimbles did not survive the centuries.

Through the years, thimbles have changed in many of ways. Both the materials used and the means of production have changed. Thimbles have gained new uses and become primarily decorative and collectible rather than merely practical. Ancient thimbles had to be sturdy because handmade fabric was coarse and needles were rough and imperfect. It was difficult to push the thread through the fabric so a strong, thick bronze or iron thimble, called a "skep"�, was required to prevent injury.

By the 15th century, fabric became more finely woven and sewing became more refined. Thimbles became thin walled. These thimbles were usually made of brass and imported from Germany, a brass-making center. At this time, creative methods of producing thimbles were introduced. Thimbles were made from sheet metal. The new thimbles also contained fancy motifs. The cap was sometimes separate and attached to the cylinder later. The new thimbles were taller and the top was flatter.

During the 16th and 17th centuries Holland became the new center of thimble production. However, in the late 17th century, John Lofting moved thimble production to Islington, England where the brass-making industry was now established. He began to produce thimbles in a scale unheard of before. Next, he moved his facility to Great Marlow, and used water power to double production.

By the early 18th century, he was producing 2 million thimbles annually. But he too succumbed to change and thimble manufacturing moved to Birmingham, England by 1800. The composition of brass also modernized during this period. A completely new formula made it more malleable and suitable for a different manufacturing procedure called "deep drawing" � that used less metal. This lowered the cost.

We are all aware that sewing is the primary use of the thimble. But did you know that a slightly larger thimble, usually two ounces, was used to measure spirits? And did you know that nineteenth century prostitutes used them to tap on their clients windows and Victorian schoolmistresses used them to knock recalcitrant students on the head?

Although they have become in general decorative, collectors interest in modern thimbles has not waned. Thimbles originally created in silver are being reproduced in pewter thanks to new processes, developed in the 1950s that allow more elaborate design. New thimbles are being issued to commemorate everything from football teams to Disney characters. Every tourist destination offers keepsake thimbles to tourists.

Thimble collecting is an extremely popular hobby worldwide. Many thimbles are wisely priced and easily available. Men, women and children collect them. Some collectors are interested in the history of thimbles while others collect them for their decorative value. The humble thimble has become a star. Some admire its beggarly origins and some its new found incarnations. It is still one of the most versatile and effective tools ever invented, born of necessity.

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