The Seven Wonders of the Wallet
1. The wallet only really came into use in the mid 1600's with the invention of paper money. Prior to that people used little bags to carry their coins. The word wallet can actually be traced back to ancient Greece; Perseus carried Medusa's head in a bag which has been translated as wallet. Must have been a pretty big wallet!
2. The design of the wallet hasn't really changed much over the years, but one major shift occured with the invention of the credit card in the 1950's. Now most wallets only have compartments for notes and cards as fewer people carry cash.
3. Interestingly wallets designed in Europe tend to have built in change compartments as we use higher denominated coins so carry more change.
4. The Velcro wallet was designed in the 1970's. This has hardly revolutionised the fashion industry or made any style statement, but we thought it worth a mention.
5. Some students have shunned the wallet preferring to carry little drawstring bags as a nod to Ernest Hemingway who used them in his travels. Admiration taken a little too far we think!
6. Traditionally wallets are made from leather, however there are now all kinds of crazy concoctions such as wallets made from playing cards, duct tape and stainless steel. These lack the elegance of a wallet made from high quality leather, but are a talking point for your pocket.
7. Thanks to our wonderful society we also have a new wallet accessory - the wallet chain. This is designed to fasten your wallet to your trousers to stop people's thieving mits half inching your cash. This has now transcended function into the world of fashion with new designs from Dolce and Gabbana and Energie putting it firmly on the style map.
