A simple yet revolutionary invention, still in use today, likely transformed prehistoric clothing into the complex social signals we see now. This innovation, the eyed needle, played a crucial role in the evolution of fashion, according to recent research.
Before June’s couture shows, European atelier workers meticulously sewed and adorned garments with beads, using skilled hands and eyed needles. This scene, reminiscent of prehistoric times, highlights the timelessness of this tool.
An international team of researchers recently argued that the advent of eyed needles marked a significant shift in human history. Before this innovation, early humans made rudimentary garments by scraping hides, puncturing holes with bone awls, and tying pieces together with fibers or sinew. The introduction of eyed needles, allowing simultaneous piercing and threading, made stitching more efficient and refined.
This development enabled the creation of tailored garments and decorative clothing, which became a medium for expressing group identity and social status. “Eyed needles mark the transition of clothing from a physical necessity to a social function,” explained Dr. Ian Gilligan from the University of Sydney, lead author of the study. This technological advance represented a pivotal moment in human prehistory.
Fashion and technology have been intertwined from the start. The need for faster textile production powered much of the Industrial Revolution. Historian Sven Beckert noted that cotton manufacturing innovations led to the creation of factories, transforming yarn production into a mechanized industry.
Modern computing also owes a debt to fashion technology. The Jacquard loom, invented by Joseph-Marie Jacquard in 1804, used punch cards to control intricate patterns in textiles. This concept inspired Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, a precursor to modern computers, and Ada Lovelace’s early computer programming.
Even synthetic fibers like nylon, initially used in women’s hosiery, have their roots in fashion. Created by DuPont researcher Wallace Carothers in the 1930s, nylon became synonymous with stockings and found uses in various industries.
Today, fashion continues to embrace new technologies, including generative AI, blockchain, and augmented reality. Despite challenges, such as the difficulty of getting robots to handle delicate fabrics, the industry remains at the forefront of technological adoption.
In summary, the eyed needle’s invention was a turning point in fashion history, highlighting the enduring symbiotic relationship between fashion and technology.