Maya Ellison
The 1960s saw a boom in plastic products, with designers experimenting with new materials and techniques. Plastic products were advertised for their benefits, and companies were proud to promote their use of man-made materials. Plastic hangers were one such innovation of the 1960s, with J.H. Batts patenting an inexpensive moulded plastic hanger in 1967. This invention revolutionised the clothing industry, making hangers more affordable and accessible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic hangers invented | 1967 |
| Inventor | J.H Batts |
| Plastic hangers' impact on the clothing industry | Revolutionized the industry, making hangers more affordable and accessible |
| Plastic products in the 60s | Not new, but saw a boom in young designers experimenting with new materials and techniques |
| Plastic products' perception in the 60s | Not associated with being cheap, companies advertised the benefits of man-made materials |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic hangers were patented in 1967
Plastic coat hangers are the most used type of hanger today. However, this was not always the case. In the 1960s, two important developments in the history of the clothes hanger occurred. The first of these was in 1965 when Gerhard Wieckmann patented a new hanger design with a wire hook and wooden frame.
The second development came in 1967 when J.H. Batts patented an inexpensive moulded plastic hanger. This design was revolutionary because it lowered production costs and increased the hanger's durability. The contoured design enabled it to hold heavier items such as suit jackets and pants with greater sturdiness, whilst enabling garments to maintain their natural shape. This was particularly useful for the growing number of retail stores in the latter half of the 20th century, as it allowed for clothes to be displayed in a more attractive way.
The use of plastic for hangers in the 1960s was part of a wider trend of plastic becoming more popular in the home. Plastic had been invented much earlier, but it was in the 1960s that it really took off. Advances in plastic technology meant plastic could be used in furniture, and the 1960s saw a boom in young designers experimenting with new materials and techniques.
Plastic hangers were also popular because they were easier and cheaper to produce and sell. This meant that hangers became an essential tool in almost every household in America.
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Plastic hangers made clothing storage more affordable
Plastic coat hangers are the most common type of hanger today. However, the history of the clothes hanger begins with the wire hanger. In 1869, O.A. North of New Britain, Connecticut, invented the first prototype coat hanger, which was a "coat hook". This invention was later attributed to Albert J. Parkhouse of Jackson, Mississippi, who worked for the Timberlake Wire & Novelty Company. Parkhouse's fellow workers often ran out of coat hooks, so he bent a piece of wire into two ovals and twisted the ends together to form a hook. This design closely resembles the wire coat hangers still in use today.
In the 1960s, two important developments in the history of the clothes hanger occurred. Firstly, in 1965, Gerhard Wieckmann patented a new hanger design with a wire hook and wooden frame. Secondly, in 1967, J.H. Batts patented an inexpensive moulded plastic hanger. While plastics had been invented much earlier, they became increasingly popular in the 1960s. This was due to advances in plastic technology, which made it easier to produce plastic items and made them less expensive to sell.
The invention of plastic hangers in the 1960s made clothing storage more affordable and accessible. Plastic hangers were cheaper to produce than their wire or wooden counterparts, and their proliferation coincided with the rise of retail stores in the latter half of the 20th century. Retail stores embraced the new plastic hangers as a way to display clothing and incorporate their brand names into the design. The affordability and durability of plastic hangers also meant that people could buy and store more clothing in their homes. As a result, closets became an essential feature in homes, and hangers became a ubiquitous item in American households.
However, the widespread use of plastic hangers has had a significant environmental impact. Plastic hangers are often not recycled, contributing to the growing problem of plastic waste. It is challenging to recycle plastic hangers because they are made from various types of plastic, such as polystyrene and polycarbonate, which can be difficult to separate and identify during the recycling process. In recent years, some companies have focused on creating eco-friendly alternatives, such as hangers made from recycled materials or sustainable sources like bamboo. These sustainable hangers serve the same purpose as plastic hangers but have a much smaller environmental footprint.
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Plastic was already a common household material in the 60s
Plastic was already a common household material in the 1960s. The use of plastic in the home was not new in the 1960s, with plastics having been around since the start of the century. Bakelite, for example, is a plastic that is synonymous with the 1930s. However, it took time for plastic technology to develop to the point where it could be used in household products.
The 1960s saw a boom in young designers experimenting with plastic, leading to the creation of design classics such as the Panton chair and Kartell storage units. Plastic products were advertised for their benefits, with companies proudly promoting the advantages of man-made materials. Plastic was used in furniture, such as chairs and tables, as well as in household items like "unbreakable" melamine dinnerware. The flexibility of plastic meant it could be moulded into a variety of shapes, making it ideal for items like baths, wallboards, and floor tiles.
The invention of plastic hangers in the 1960s was a significant development in the clothing industry, making hangers more affordable and accessible. J.H. Batts patented an inexpensive moulded plastic hanger in 1967, which not only reduced production costs but also increased durability. This innovation contributed to the proliferation of retail stores in the latter half of the 20th century, as hangers became essential tools in almost every American household.
The widespread use of plastic hangers, however, came at an environmental cost. Plastic hangers are often not recycled, leading to a growing plastic waste problem. In recent years, there has been a shift towards eco-friendly alternatives, with companies focusing on using recycled materials or sustainable sources like bamboo to create hangers.
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Plastic hangers are not easily recycled
Plastic hangers were invented in the 1960s, and they quickly became popular due to their affordability and accessibility. However, plastic hangers are not easily recycled and often end up in landfills, contributing to the growing plastic waste problem. Here are several reasons why plastic hangers are challenging to recycle:
Firstly, plastic hangers are made from different types of plastics, and they often contain metal parts or clips. When hangers are made of multiple plastic types, they cannot be recycled because the plastics cannot be easily separated. The metal components also make the hangers more difficult to recycle, as they need to be removed before recycling. Most plastic hangers also lack a recycling symbol, making it challenging for consumers to know how to properly recycle them.
Secondly, the unique shape of plastic hangers poses a problem for recycling facilities. Hangers can get caught in the machinery, causing disruptions and reducing the efficiency of the recycling process. This is a common issue mentioned by recycling plant workers, who advise against placing hangers in recycling bins.
Thirdly, the recycling infrastructure for plastic hangers is not widely available. Many domestic plastic collection facilities are unable to handle and recycle plastic hangers, leading to the misconception that they cannot be recycled at all. It often requires additional effort from consumers to find the appropriate recycling channels, such as specific collection stations or local thrift stores that accept hanger donations.
Lastly, even when plastic hangers are recycled, they are often downcycled rather than made into new hangers. This means they are recycled into lower-value products, such as carpet or park benches, due to contamination issues in the recycling process.
To address the environmental impact of plastic hangers, some companies are now focusing on eco-friendly alternatives. These include hangers made from recycled materials, such as other hangers or plastic waste, or sustainable sources like bamboo. By using recycled plastics, companies can reduce waste, conserve energy and resources, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, retailers can play a role in reducing waste by collecting hangers at the point of purchase, allowing them to control the lifecycle of plastic hangers.
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Plastic hanger designs have evolved to be eco-friendly
Plastic hangers were first patented in the 1960s, making hangers more affordable and accessible. However, they also contributed to the growing plastic waste problem, as they were often not recycled. To address this issue, companies have started to focus on eco-friendly alternatives.
One way that hanger designs have evolved to be more eco-friendly is through the use of recycled materials. For example, some hangers are now made from recycled plastic, such as plastic collected from ocean clean-up efforts. This reduces waste, conserves energy and resources, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Other recycled materials used for hangers include paper, cardboard, wheat straw, and aluminium. These materials are biodegradable and recyclable, minimising their environmental impact.
Another way that hanger designs have become more sustainable is by utilising sustainable sources, such as bamboo and beech wood. Wooden hangers are more durable than plastic ones, reducing the need for frequent replacements. They are also fully recyclable and have a lower carbon footprint during production. Additionally, some companies, like MAWA, focus on creating long-lasting hangers with strength and durability in mind, promoting long-time use with fewer replacements.
The evolution of hanger designs towards eco-friendliness is a response to the environmental concerns associated with plastic waste. By adopting recycled and biodegradable materials, as well as durable and long-lasting designs, hanger companies are contributing to global efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic hangers were patented and became popular in the 1960s.
Plastic hangers in the 60s were revolutionised by J.H. Batts' 1967 patent for an inexpensive, moulded plastic hanger. This design was more durable and could hold heavier items such as suit jackets and pants.
The two other basic types of hangers are wire hangers and wooden hangers. In 1965, Gerhard Wieckmann patented a new hanger design with a wire hook and wooden frame.
