Maya Ellison
The plastic tip at the end of a shoelace is called an aglet. It is a small sheath, usually made of plastic or metal, that is attached to each end of a shoelace, cord, or drawstring. The word aglet comes from the Middle French and Old French word aguillette, meaning needle, pin, which in turn comes from the Late Latin word acucula, meaning ornamental pin or pine needle. While many people know how to tie their shoes, some adults may not know the name of the plastic tip that makes it possible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Aglet or aiglet |
| Description | A small sheath attached at each end of a shoelace, cord, or drawstring |
| Material | Plastic or metal |
| Function | Keeps the fibers of the lace or cord from unraveling; makes it easier to hold and feed through eyelets, lugs, or other lacing guides |
| Etymology | Middle French and Old French: aguillette ("diminutive of aguille, meaning 'needle, pin'") < Late Latin: acucula ("ornamental pin, pine needle") < Latin: acus ("needle" or "pin") |
| Historical materials | Metal, glass, stone, brass, silver |
| Historical usage | Used on the ends of ribbons to fasten clothing before the invention of buttons |
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What You'll Learn
The word 'aglet' derives from the Old French 'aguillette'
The plastic or metal tip of a shoelace is called an aglet or aiglet. It is a small sheath attached at each end of a shoelace, cord, or drawstring. The word "aglet" comes from the Old French "aiguillette", which is the diminutive form of "aiguille", meaning "needle" or "pin". The Old French word can be further traced back to the Late Latin "acucula", which means "ornamental pin" or "pine needle".
Aglets are designed to keep the fibres of the lace or cord from fraying and unraveling. Their firmness and narrow profile make them easier to grip and thread through eyelets, lugs, or other lacing guides. While modern aglets are typically made of plastic, they were originally crafted from metal, glass, or stone, and often served ornamental purposes. Wealthy individuals in the Roman era, for instance, would adorn their aglets with precious metals such as brass or silver.
The distinction between aglets and aiguillettes is worth noting. While aglets are primarily functional, aiguillettes are usually decorative and appear at the end of ornamental cords, such as bolo ties and the cords on military dress uniforms. Shoe companies often manufacture their own shoelaces and aglets, with some opting to add metal sheaths over plastic aglets for enhanced durability.
The evolution of the aglet has an intriguing history. According to James Cave, an editor at the Huffington Post, the modern shoelace, complete with its aglet, was popularized by an English inventor named Harvey Kennedy in the 1790s. Kennedy is said to have earned a substantial sum of $2.5 million from his invention.
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Aglets were originally made from metal, glass or stone
The plastic or metal tips found at the end of shoelaces are called aglets. They are small sheaths that keep the fibres of the lace or cord from fraying and make it easier to feed through eyelets, lugs, or other lacing guides. The word "aglet" comes from the Middle French and Old French word "aguillette", the diminutive of "aguille", meaning "needle, pin". In turn, "aguillette" comes from the Late Latin "acucula", or ""ornamental pin, pine needle", which is the diminutive of "acus", the Latin word for a needle or pin.
Aglets were originally made of metal, glass, or stone, and many were very ornamental. Wealthy people in the Roman era would have their aglets made out of precious metals such as brass or silver. In the 17th century, some more elaborate versions were made of silver and gold. Many of the aglets found at Jamestown are decorated with stamped patterns such as repeating waffled lines, diapering, or a combination dot and diapering pattern.
Before the invention of buttons, aglets were used on the ends of ribbons to fasten clothing together. They were also used as decorative embellishments for clothing or ribbons in the early 17th century. For instance, they were used to attach sleeves to armholes.
Today, most aglets are made of plastic or metal. Many shoe companies prefer to add metal sheaths over plastic aglets for better durability. Some may also add logos or pictures.
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Wealthy Romans used precious metals like brass and silver
The small sheath at the end of a shoelace, cord, or drawstring is called an "aglet" or "aiglet". They are often made of plastic or metal and are used to keep the fibers of the lace or cord from unraveling. The word "aglet" comes from the Middle French and Old French word "aguillette", which is the diminutive form of "aguille", meaning "needle" or "pin". Interestingly, wealthy Romans in the Roman era would have their aglets made out of precious metals such as brass or silver.
Romans also had sophisticated techniques for working with precious metals. They understood processes such as melting, smelting, roasting, casting, hammering, and cupellation, which allowed them to separate and work with metals like silver and gold. For example, they could separate gold and silver by granulating the alloy and then smelting the granules with salt to isolate gold from chemically altered silver chloride. This showcases their advanced understanding of metallurgy.
Additionally, the expansion of the Roman Empire contributed to their access to precious metals. By 53 BC, Rome controlled a vast expanse of the Mediterranean, including territories rich in mineral ores like Iberia (modern-day Spain and Portugal). This expansion facilitated trade networks and the acquisition of metals, ensuring a steady supply of resources for their growing empire.
The use of precious metals by wealthy Romans extended beyond currency and metallurgy. For example, they may have adorned themselves with brass and silver jewelry, ornaments, or other luxury items. Precious metals were also used in various crafts and industries, such as instrument-making, where timbre was a consideration in the choice of metals. Overall, the use of brass and silver by wealthy Romans reflected their appreciation for the aesthetic and practical qualities of these precious metals.
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Aglets were used on ribbons to fasten clothing before buttons
The plastic or metal tip of a shoelace, cord, or drawstring is called an "aglet" or "aiglet". The word comes from the Middle French and Old French word "aguillette", which is the diminutive form of "aguille", meaning "needle, pin". In the Roman era, aglets were often made of precious metals such as brass or silver.
Before the invention of buttons, aglets were used on the ends of ribbons to fasten clothing. They were also used to adorn cords and drawstrings. The use of aglets on ribbons allowed for a more secure fastening of clothing, as the firmness and narrow profile of the aglet made it easier to hold and thread through eyelets or other lacing guides. This early application of aglets contributed to the functionality and aesthetics of clothing before the widespread use of buttons.
Aglets were commonly crafted from materials such as metal, glass, or stone, and often featured ornate designs. The Roman elite, for instance, favoured aglets made of precious metals, reflecting their wealth and status. This ornamental aspect of aglets continued even after the advent of buttons, as referenced by Shakespeare in "The Taming of the Shrew", where he refers to a type of aglet shaped like a small figure as an "aglet baby".
The evolution of aglets has indeed come a long way, with modern aglets being predominantly made of plastic and attached to shoelaces using specialised machines. These machines employ heat or chemicals to securely bond the plastic onto the shoelace, ensuring durability and ease of use. While plastic aglets are now commonplace, some shoe companies still opt for metal sheaths over plastic ones to enhance durability and create distinctive designs.
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Aglets stop fibres from unravelling and ease lacing
Aglets are small sheaths, typically made of plastic or metal, that are attached to each end of a shoelace, cord, or drawstring. They play a crucial role in preventing the fibres of these laces from unravelling and fraying, thereby maintaining the integrity of the shoelaces.
The word "aglet" is derived from the Middle French and Old French word "aguillette," which is the diminutive form of "aguille," meaning "needle" or "pin." In the past, aglets were crafted from metal, glass, or stone, often featuring ornate designs. Wealthy individuals during the Roman era even opted for precious metals such as brass or silver to adorn their aglets.
Today, most aglets are made of plastic due to its lightweight and cost-effective nature. They are formed directly onto the raw shoelace using a specialised "shoelace tipping" machine. This machine wraps plastic tape around the end of the shoelace and employs heat or chemicals to melt and securely bond the plastic.
The presence of aglets makes lacing shoes significantly easier. Their firmness and narrow profile facilitate a better grip, and their smooth surface enables them to glide effortlessly through the eyelets or lugs of shoes. This simplicity in design enhances user convenience and ensures that shoes can be laced up quickly and efficiently.
In addition to their functional advantages, aglets offer opportunities for customisation and aesthetic appeal. They can be designed in various colours and styles, allowing brands to enhance the overall look of their shoe offerings. Some manufacturers even opt for metal sheaths over plastic aglets to provide a premium appearance and increased durability.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic tip at the end of a shoelace is called an aglet.
An aglet is a small sheath, often made of plastic or metal, attached to the end of a cord, shoelace, or drawstring.
An aglet keeps the fibres of the lace or cord from unravelling. Its firmness and narrow profile make it easier to hold and feed through eyelets, lugs, or other lacing guides.
The word "aglet" comes from the Middle French and Old French word "aguillette", the diminutive of "aguille", meaning "needle" or "pin".
Aglets were originally made of ornamental materials such as metal, glass, or stone. Wealthy people in the Roman era would use precious metals like brass or silver.
