Omar Khalid
The small plastic tips at the ends of shoelaces, known as aglets, are commonly used today. They are made by wrapping plastic tape around the end of shoelaces and using heat or chemicals to melt the plastic onto the shoelace. The word aglet is derived from the Old French word aiguillette, which means needle. While the invention of the aglet cannot be attributed to a single person, many sources credit English inventor Harvey Kennedy for popularising the modern shoelace in the 1790s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Aglet, or aiglet |
| Description | A small sheath, often made of plastic or metal, attached at each end of a shoelace |
| Origin of the word | Middle French and Old French word aguillette, the diminutive of aguille, meaning "needle, pin" |
| Invention | Popularised by English inventor Harvey Kennedy in the 1790s |
| Manufacturing process | Machines wrap plastic tape around the end of new shoelaces and use heat or chemicals to melt the plastic onto the shoelace and bond the plastic to itself |
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What You'll Learn
The name 'aglet'
The name "aglet" is derived from the Middle French and Old French word "aguillette", the diminutive form of "aguille", meaning "needle, pin". The Old French word itself stems from the Late Latin "acucula" ("ornamental pin, pine needle"), which is the diminutive of "acus", the Latin word for "needle" or "pin".
The original spelling of the word was "aiglet", and it is believed that the modern-day "aglet" was invented by English inventor Harvey Kennedy in the 1790s. However, the history of the aglet's evolution is disputed, with some sources claiming that humans have used straps to secure items to their feet for centuries.
Today, the clear plastic aglets on shoelaces are usually attached by machines that wrap plastic tape around the ends of shoelaces and use heat or chemicals to bond the plastic to the lace. Some shoelaces made from materials like polyester do not require plastic aglets and are instead crimped and heated to form an aglet from the same material as the shoelace.
Aglets are small sheaths, typically made of plastic or metal, that are placed at each end of a shoelace, cord, or drawstring. They serve multiple purposes, including preventing the fibres of the lace from fraying or unravelling, making it easier to thread laces through eyelets, and providing a better grip when tying shoes.
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Ancient Roman aglets
The word "aglet" is derived from the Middle French and Old French word "aguillette", which means "needle, pin". The term "aglet" was once spelled "aiglet", and both words share a common ancestor in the French term "aiguille", which means "needle". This connection makes sense when considering the function of aglets in facilitating the insertion of shoelaces through eyelets.
Aglets were originally made of metal, glass, or stone, and many were very ornamental. In the Roman era, wealthy people would have their aglets made out of precious metals such as brass or silver. Aglets have been found on ancient Roman shoes, dating back around 2000 years, highlighting their long history and enduring utility. The use of aglets in ancient Roman times suggests that they were important for fastening various types of clothing and ribbons together.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, aglets continued to be used as decorative elements on clothing, with some even made from precious materials such as gold or silver. Shakespeare refers to a type of small ornamental figure forming the aglet as an "aglet baby" in his play, "The Taming of the Shrew".
Today, most aglets are made of plastic or metal and are attached to shoelaces by machines that bind the plastic to the lace with heat or chemical adhesives. Some laces can also be made from polyester, which can be crimped to create an aglet without using any additional material.
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How aglets are made
Aglets are small sheaths, usually made of plastic or metal, that are attached to the ends of shoelaces, cords, or drawstrings. They are used to hold the fibres of the lace or cord together and prevent them from fraying or unraveling. Aglets also make it easier to thread the lace through the eyelets of shoes.
The process of making aglets typically involves using a machine that wraps plastic tape around the end of a new shoelace. This plastic tape is then melted onto the shoelace using heat or chemicals, bonding the plastic to the lace and itself. Some companies may add a metal sheath over the plastic aglet for improved durability.
Polyester laces can be crimped to create an aglet without the need for additional materials. If an aglet is lost, it can be replaced using tape, glue, or heat-shrink tubes.
Aglets can be customised with different colours, logos, pictures, or words, adding a decorative touch to the functional design.
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Aglets on non-shoe items
Aglets are small sheaths, typically made of plastic or metal, that are attached to the ends of shoelaces, cords, or drawstrings. They serve the purpose of preventing the fibres of the lace or cord from fraying and make it easier to thread the lace through eyelets or other lacing guides. The word "aglet" is derived from the Middle French and Old French word "aguillette", which means "needle, pin".
While aglets are most commonly associated with shoelaces, they can also be found on various non-shoe items. Here are some examples:
- Drawstrings: Aglets are commonly used on drawstrings for clothing items such as sweatpants, hoodies, and bags. They help prevent the drawstring from fraying and make it easier to adjust the tightness of the string.
- Cords on clothing: Some clothing items, such as jackets or bathrobes, may have decorative cords with aglets at the ends. These aglets serve a similar function to those on shoelaces, making it easier to adjust the cords and preventing fraying.
- Bolo ties: Bolo ties are a type of necktie consisting of a piece of cord or leather with an ornamental clasp in the middle. The ends of the cord often feature aglets, which provide a neat finish and make it easier to adjust the tie.
- Military dress uniforms: The decorative cords on military dress uniforms often feature aiguillettes, which are ornamental aglets. These aglets are typically made of metal and add a decorative touch to the uniform while also serving a functional purpose of securing the cords in place.
- Curtain cords: In some cases, aglets may be found on the cords used to open and close curtains. These aglets help to weigh down the end of the cord and make it easier to handle.
While aglets are now commonly made of plastic, they were originally crafted from metal, glass, or stone, and many were highly ornamental. In the Roman era, wealthy individuals would have their aglets made from precious metals such as brass or silver. The use of aglets was not limited to shoelaces but also extended to the ends of ribbons used to fasten clothing together before the invention of buttons.
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Replacing lost aglets
The plastic tips on shoelaces, known as aglets, are useful for keeping the fibres of the lace from unraveling and making it easier to thread the lace through the eyelets of your shoe. While today most aglets are made of plastic, they were originally made of metal, glass, or stone, and were often ornamental.
If you've lost an aglet, there are several ways to repair or replace it at home. Firstly, you'll need to remove any remnants of the old aglet. This can be done carefully with a pair of needle-nose pliers or tweezers, or by using an Exacto knife to cut open the plastic sheath or slice off the aglet at its base.
- Use glue and thread to create a stiff aglet-like end.
- Use tape, such as Scotch or adhesive tape, to wrap around the end of the shoelace.
- Use heat shrink tubing, which can be heated to fit most standard-size shoelaces and comes in various colours.
- Use metal tubing, which can be found at hobby suppliers and is extremely durable. Slide the tubing over the end of the shoelace and hammer a small nail into it to keep it in place. You can also apply glue inside the tubing for increased durability.
- Melt the end of the shoelace over a match, lighter, or candle to form an aglet. This method works best for synthetic shoelaces.
- Knot the end of the shoelace tightly to prevent it from unravelling. However, this will make it difficult to relace your shoes.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic ends on shoelaces are called "aglets".
Aglets are typically made of plastic or metal.
Aglets serve multiple purposes. They prevent shoelaces from fraying or unravelling, make it easier to thread laces through eyelets, and help with gripping shoelaces while tying shoes.
The exact inventor of aglets is unknown. However, they are believed to have been used since ancient Roman times, where they were made of metal, glass, or stone. Wealthy Romans used precious metals such as brass or silver for their aglets.
Today, most plastic aglets are attached to shoelaces using special machines. These machines wrap plastic tape around the end of the shoelace and use heat or chemicals to melt and bond the plastic onto the shoelace.
