History Today: When the safety pin was patented

It was on April 10, 1849, one of the most useful inventions the modern life was patented. It was the safety pin, created by American mechanic and inventor Walter Hunt.

If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers’ ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.

In 2001, the Dutch Parliament passed the Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act, legalising euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the British band ‘The Beatles’ broke up after one of the band members, Paul McCartney announced his departure from the band.

Here is all that occurred over the years on April 10 across the world.

Safety pin was patented

April 10, 1849, is a huge day in history as the modern-day safety pin was patented on this day. Although later businessmen would make a fortune selling the ubiquitous devices, American mechanic and inventor Walter Hunt sold the rights to it for just $400 and never earned anything else.

Hunt’s design exhibited considerable ingenuity. His method involved forming the pin from a singular length of brass wire, which was then coiled to create a spring element. Crucially, the design incorporated a clasp component that served to encase the sharp terminus of the wire, effectively preventing inadvertent injury – a feature that directly informed its appellation as the “safety” pin. Although pins and clasps had existed before, this version of the pin offered both security and protection in a compact and affordable form.

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Interestingly, Hunt sold the rights to his patent for $400, unaware of the invention’s massive potential. Over the years, the safety pin became a household essential, widely used in sewing, baby care, first aid and even fashion. It gained symbolic status in punk culture and political movements, used to convey silent protest or unity.

Walter Hunt was a prolific but often under-recognised inventor. Though he also created the first lockstitch sewing machine, he failed to patent it in time. Nevertheless, his legacy endures through the safety pin, a small but mighty tool that remains virtually unchanged more than 175 years later.

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Mercy killings became legal in the Netherlands

The Netherlands became the first country to permit euthanasia on April 10, 2001. It was on this day that the Dutch Parliament passed the Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act, legalising euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the Netherlands.

The legislation, which came into force on April 1, 2002, established a legal framework permitting physicians to perform euthanasia without liability for prosecution given that they strictly adhere to the criteria. These criteria necessitate that the patient’s request for euthanasia is voluntary and the result of thorough deliberation, that the patient is experiencing suffering deemed unbearable with no foreseeable prospect of improvement and that all available and relevant alternatives have been exhaustively considered. Moreover, the legislation mandates a consultation with an independent medical practitioner to affirm that all due care criteria have been satisfied.

Prior to this legislation, euthanasia in the Netherlands operated in a legal grey area. Although the practice was tolerated under strict guidelines developed through court rulings, there was no formal legal framework, leaving physicians vulnerable to legal repercussions. The 2001 Act codified these practices, providing legal clarity and protection for both patients and healthcare providers.

While the law sparked a debate on end-of-life care and patients’ rights worldwide, it set an example for other countries to consider or even adopt similar legislation. Since its implementation, the law has undergone evaluations and discussions to address ethical considerations and ensure that the practices align with societal values and medical ethics.

The Beatles broke up as Paul McCartney left the band

Paul McCartney , part of the British band ‘The Beatles’, announced that he will be taking a break from the band while promoting the release of his forthcoming solo album on April 10, 1970. The move did not come as a surprise for many as the cracks within the team had begun appearing by the late 1960s.

In the spring of 1970, the Beatles’ unity had diminished to a series of intricate business connections. The individual members were each focusing on their own musical pursuits, with no collective recording projects scheduled.

The death of their longtime manager Brian Epstein in 1967 further destabilised their unity. Arguments during recording sessions, particularly around the White Album and Let It Be, underscored growing discord, especially between McCartney and John Lennon. Lennon had already begun collaborating less closely.

In a self-interview packaged with his solo album McCartney, Paul revealed he was no longer working with the band and had no plans to write or record with them again. Although John Lennon had privately decided to leave months earlier, it was McCartney’s announcement that shocked fans and confirmed what many had feared.

This Day, That Year

• In 2019, astronomers released the first-ever image of a black hole found in the centre of the massive galaxy M87.

• Pakistan adopted its third constitution, shifting the role of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto from president to prime minister in 1973.

• In 1925, American author F Scott Fitzgerald published The Great Gatsby, which became a literary classic.