The Evolution of Wallets

Ever wonder where the wallet comes from? Well the word “wallet” has been in use since the late 14th Century to refer to a bag or a knapsack for carrying articles. Here’s how the wallet evolved over centuries.

In Greek Mythology

The ancient Greek word “kibisis”, said to describe the sack carried by the god Hermes and the sack in which the mythical hero Perseus carried the decapitated head of Medusa, has been typically translated as “wallet”. Usage of the term “wallet” in its modern meaning of “flat case for carrying paper currency” in American English dates to 1834 but this meaning was one of many in the 19th century and early 20th century.

In The Renaissance

As metals became increasingly used as currencies, wallets began taking shape to include coins, and in some cases, statements of accounts. People carried a ‘bowgett’ (or budget), which was a leather pouch or wallet in which he carried his cash, his book of accounts, and small articles of daily necessity.

19th century

In addition to money or currency, a wallet was considered “semi-civilized” in America to carry one’s wallet on one’s belt. Ironically, at this time, carrying goods or a wallet in one’s pocket was considered uncivilized and uncommon.

Present day

The modern bi-fold wallet with multiple “card slots” became standardized in the early 1950s with the introduction of the first credit cards. This pocket-sized wallet remains extremely popular to this day.

Ancient Wallet

Modern Wallet

The History of T Shirts

Ever wonder how did this awesome piece of clothing come into existence? It’s all comes down to evolution.

The T-shirt evolved from undergarments used in the 19th century. It was made by cutting the one-piece “union suit” underwear into separate top and bottom garments, with the top long enough to tuck under the waistband of the bottoms. T-shirts, with and without buttons, were adopted by miners and dockers during the late 19th century as it was convenient for hot environments.

Following World War II, the t shirt became popular among veterans who wore their uniform trousers with T-shirts as casual clothing.

In the 1950s the T shirt became even more popular after Marlon Brando wore one in A Streetcar Named Desire, finally achieving status as a fashionable, stand-alone, outer-wear garment.

Today, it’s the most comfortable piece of clothing and can be worn anywhere and on anyhow.

Here are some of our winning tee designs…