International Men in Wristband History

Today is International Men’s Day and to celebrate we’ve compiled a list of men from all around the world who played a fundamental part (good and bad) in the evolution of Wristband Products.

 

1935…

Scottish physicist, Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt discovered radar technology which would be used during the Second World War and would over the course of history evolve into radio frequency identification technology.

 

1955…

Scientist Jim White accidently discovers Tyvek material by noticing polyethylene fluff coming from a pipe.

 

1965…

White’s colleague Herbert Blades begins a research program which leads to Tyvek becoming a trademarked product for DuPont.

 

1973…

While RFID technology was used in the 1940s during the Second World War, it was in 1973 when Mario Cardullo was the first person to patent a RFID tag that would have rewritable information on it.

 

1973…

Charles Walton, much like Cardullo, also patent an RFID product. Walton’s product however, was for a pass card that would open locked doors. (Today’s Key Card).

 

1983…

Stuart Anders comes up with the idea for Slap Wraps while playing with steel ribbon in his father’s shop.

 

1990…

Stuart Anders’ Slap Wrap (slap bands or snap bands) become the must-have fashion accessory for all teens during the 90s with Main Street Toy in the US selling over 4 million of them.

 

1993…

A packaging company, PAC3000, is set up by Steven Johnstone and would evolve into Pac Wristbands and Pac Promotions.

 

2003…

Nike started production on Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong silicone wristbands and sold over 80 million in total.

 

2013…

Stuart Anders’ Slap Wraps came back into the spotlight after Apple referenced the bands in their patent application for the iWatch. Apple wanted a patent for a bi-stable spring with flexible display, which was last used for the Slap Wraps.

 

2018…

Finishing off with our very own Steven Johnstone as PAC reaches 25 years and is one of the UK’s leading suppliers for wristbands, lanyards and pass holders!

 

International Men’s Day is to celebrate the men in our life and without the above, we wouldn’t have the wristband products that are currently being used today. Just think, a world without festival wristbands!

 

Whatever you’re doing today in celebration to IMD, have a brilliant one.

 

Information on our wristband products can be found here. To design your own wristband, click here. For more information on IMD, please visit IMD UK website here.