Clothes Hangers that Preceeded Huggable Hangers

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:47:56 +0000

Clothes hangers are an integral part of any closet. Before the invent of Huggable Hangers, they came in 3 basic types. They heaviest type of hanger is a wood hanger. Wooden hangers are suitable for hanging heavy items such as winter coats. A wood hanger usually has a metal hook for hanging on a rod and there is often a wooden bar across the bottom for hanging pants. A wire hanger is used mainly by dry cleaners as it is the cheapest form of hanger available. Wire hangers are fine for light items but they often get bent out of shape easily or will alter the shape of your clothes. The worst case scenario with wire hangers is that they can actually discolor with humidity and leave a mark on your clothing. The last type of hanger which is very popular today is the plastic hanger. Plastic hangers are similar to wood in shape. Some have a bar across the bottom for pants, some do not. These types of hangers are both durable and inexpensive though they tend to be almost as large as a wooden hanger which takes up a lot of space in the closet. Small sized hangers for children’s clothes are usually made from plastic.

Some clothes hangers have clips at the bottom to hold skirts. If the hanger is tiered it may be able to accommodate several skirts on one hanger. Tiered hangers for pants do not have clips but rather have cascading bars to hold several pairs of pants on one hanger.

The hanger was invented in 1869 by an American employee of a wire and novelty company. By 1906 hangers were starting to be used by clothiers to display men’s clothing. In 1932 the first cardboard padded hanger that prevented wrinkles was patented and is still in use today.

Hangers are constantly being improved to prevent wrinkles and other damage to clothing. They come in the basic materials already mentioned but are also made with fabric coverings to protect clothes and prevent them from sliding off the hanger. Huggable Hangers are an example of this type of hanger. Hangers have also become a cosmetic feature of a closet. People purchase hanger sets to create a look of uniformity in their closest which makes it look neat and pleasing to the eye.

While wire hangers collected from clothes returned from the dry cleaners don’t make the best long term clothes hanger, they have other uses in the home. Unwrap a twisted metal hanger and you have a tool to dislodge clogged hair in a drain. Children often use wire clothes hangers for assorted arts and crafts projects. Beware that an unraveled wire hanger can be sharp and therefore a danger to small children and adults alike.

Joy Mangano Huggable Hangers, the Space Saving Hangers » children’s clothes

Clothes Hangers that Preceeded Huggable Hangers