The wallet we know today didn’t always look, feel, or even function in the way it now does. Its rather long history dates back to the coin pouches of old, and gradually developed through the centuries as paper money was introduced into society. Wallets (or indeed, purses) are an item that almost everyone carries with them in some shape or form. From the traditional bi-fold to new smart wallets the range of wallets available continues to develop and change.
The earliest wallets.
Wallets were first invented in the late 1600s, as an almost immediate response to paper currency being introduced in Massachusetts in 1690. Prior to this, it was traditional for simple drawstring purses to be used to carry around the standard currency of metal coins. The first wallets were generally made from cow, or horse leather and had just one small pouch. Leather is still the most popular material for making wallets today.
The 19th Century.
In the early 19th century wallets were often used to carry all sorts of small, valuable items which could even include dried meat. Such items were considered to be secret, or valuable, or simply not to be exposed to the elements. It was common at the time, and also considered fashionable to attach your wallet to your belt. You can now do all your men’s wallet shopping online from Cities Store Dubai UAE. Why would you waste your time trudging around shops and department stores when you can simply shop for your new wallet online?
The modern wallet.
In the 1920s Hermes, a bridle and harness manufacturer, started to create fashionable leather goods for use in everyday life. The unique wallets, crafted from saddle leather, that Hermes designed became the first modern-style wallets. Wallets became popular during WW2 when they were often used to carry ID tags and photos of loved ones. The Postwar economic boom also played a part in increasing the popularity of men’s wallets as more people had disposable income to carry around. The modern bi-fold wallet with multiple card slots began life in the 1950s with the introduction of credit cards. Since then we have seen the arrival of Velcro and zip wallets in about the 1970s.
Currently, we seem to be going through another wallet development as the internet has provided an opening for small independent designers, innovators and entrepreneurs to develop a range of unique wallets, which tend to be slim and minimalist.
