Buttons and their origin

Campaign buttons date back to the 1860's. In the late 18th century the original campaign buttons were sewn on clothing buttons, with photographic celluloid buttons following soon after that. The first political campaign buttons came in 1896 for William McKinley's campaign for presidency in the United States. That was the origin of first mass production of pin-back buttons.

In the year 1916 a lithographing method was invented to use with pin-back buttons. In this method the image is produced directly onto the metal disk. In campaign use, thousands of buttons was being produced for distribution to the public.

Today the campaign buttons are made from either metal or plastic back element. A printed image is attached on top of the back element along with a clear plastic, called "mylar", that protects the image from moisture and UV radiation. These buttons are then fastened to a garment using a pin on the back side of the button. This pin is often a safety-pin to protect the younger users of pin-back buttons.

Pin-back button patents

First patents for campaign buttons were registered with the United States patent office in 1889. Two men called Léon Winterdorf and August Reymond, both from New York, invented and registered a method of manufacturing campaign badge buttons.

You can view the patent from here.

Quickbutton has patented a method of manufacturing an odd shaped campaign button as well. Patent was filed already in 1999 with the United States patent office, and it was patented in 2005.

Traditional button badges are manufactured in different round forms, such as complete circular or oval badges. Quickbutton's expertise and long history in the badge manufacturing business allowed the company product development to result an odd shaped badge products, that was a new invention at the time.

Our company has a strong and long standing history within this business with more than 20+ years experience. We can supply you with both the complete buttons and the equipment and material for manufacturing yourself.