Needles

Needles. The origin of the sewing-needle dates back to a prehistoric era. Needles were originally made of bone or ivory, as is still the case amongst savage races. In civilised regions these materials were discarded on the discovery of bronze, for which steel was afterwards substituted. Many needles of bronze and bone with eyes have been found on the sites of the ancient European lake-dwellings and in caves. The manufacture of steel needles originated at Nuremberg in the latter part of the 14th century, and was introduced into England early in the reign of Elizabeth, but did not make much way till the middle of the 17th century. The chief seat of the industry has always been Redditch, in Worcestershire.