Political Button

Political buttons and pins have a long history of use, with pins being worn by supporters of George Washington. Buttons can show support for a candidate or a movement. The mass production of buttons and pins began in 1896 with the patenting of celluloid buttons by the Whitehead and Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. You can read more about the history of campaign buttons and see additional political buttons. Questions to consider: Are buttons still a popular and effective way to show political support? Have other mediums for support overtaken the historical popularity of buttons and pins?

Rutgers Special Collections and University Archives - Erena Rae Papers and the Museum Object Collection

Tara Maharjan

Political buttons.