The History and Controversy of the Safety Pin

TLDR Walter Hunt, the inventor of the safety pin, also invented the sewing machine but chose not to patent it. The origin of the safety pin is disputed, but it was likely used by punk rockers to keep their clothes intact.

Timestamped Summary

00:00 The hosts discuss their childhood experiences with amusement park rides and overcoming their fears.
01:55 Walter Hunt invented the safety pin in 1849, and he sold the patent to pay off a $15 debt.
04:08 Walter Hunt sold the safety pin patent for $400, which is equivalent to about $12,000 today, but he also invented the sewing machine.
06:24 Walter Hunt invented the sewing machine before the safety pin, but he didn't patent it or do anything with it.
08:29 Walter Hunt chose not to patent his sewing machine invention, potentially to avoid putting impoverished women out of work, and two businessmen, Elias Howe and Isaac Singer, later battled over the patent for sewing machines.
10:30 Walter Hunt, the inventor of the sewing machine, also invented other things such as the foot pedal alarm and the safety pin.
12:25 The origin of the safety pin is disputed, with some attributing it to Richard Hell and others to Johnny Rotten, but it was likely used by punk rockers to keep their beat-up clothes intact, and Walter Hunt, the inventor of the safety pin, was not a fan of people putting safety pins through their faces.
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