- Ribbons were first manufactured in France as early as the 11th century.
- In the Middle Ages, peddlers traveled throughout Europe selling exotic ribbons woven with gold and silver thread, made from silk and other rare fabrics from the Orient. Read more.
- Our modern style of ribbon with finished edges came into being around 1500.
- Ribbons were originally used to lace garments together. Later they were used as decorative trims and worn in the hair.
- Ribbons were so identified with luxury during the 16th century that the English Parliament tried to enact laws saying only the nobility were allowed to wear ribbons.
- By the 17th century, ribbons had entered high fashion. Every accessory, from gloves to bonnets, was festooned with ribbons in many forms and worn by both men and women.
- Inspired by European silk ribbons obtained through trade, the Great Lakes and Prairie Native American tribes created art form of appliqué ribbon work.
- The longest ribbon used in a ribbon-cutting ceremony measured 5.5 miles and was used by the state of New Jersey to re-open the Jersey Shore in May 2013, nearly seven months after Hurricane Sandy devastated the area.
Today, ribbons continue to gain in popularity and new products are continually coming online. If you want to know more about how you can use ribbons to enhance your products and projects scroll through the product offerings on the ribbon page of our website.