Snap fastener

Modern snap fasteners were patented by German inventor Heribert Bauer in 1885 as the "Federknopf-Verschluss", a novelty fastener for men's trousers. Some attribute the invention to Bertel Sanders, of Denmark. In 1886, Albert-Pierre Raymond, of Grenoble, also obtained a patent. These first versions had an S-shaped spring in the "male" disc instead of a groove. Australian inventor Myra Juliet Farrell is also credited with inventing a "stitchless press stud" and the "stitchless hook and eye". In America, Jack Weil (1901–2008) put snaps on his iconic Western shirts, which spread the fashion for them. The Prym company has produced snap fasteners since 1903. == Use ==

wearing Western shirt with faux pearl snaps Snaps were incorporated into military gear for their speed of use, comparative freedom from snaring, and ease of disentanglement when caught; they were particularly adapted to paratroop equipment due to the danger of snares in the myriad lines attaching a parachute canopy. They were also adopted for use with law enforcement holsters and their myriad accessories for similar reasons – replaced in both fields largely by hook and loop fasteners in recent decades. Press studs were adopted by rodeo cowboys from the 1930s onwards, because these could be quickly undone if, in the event of a fall, the shirt became snagged in the saddle. Faux pearl snaps entered American mainstream Western wear fashion during the 1950s, when singing cowboys like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers incorporated them into their embroidered and fringed stage shirts. ==Gallery==

Rivet snap parts.jpg|Four pieces of a typical rivet snap fastener: from upper left, the "eyelet" "socket", "cap", and "stud" Snap fastener female (outer) side components.jpg|The socket and cap, the "female" parts of a riveted snap fastener Snap fastener male (inner) side components.jpg|The eyelet and stud, the "male" parts of a riveted snap fastener Sewing snap rivet tools.jpg|Tools used to apply a snap Antistatic wrist strap (2).jpg|Antistatic wrist strap with 10 mm snap fastener == References ==