Think You Know Gloves?

The History and Types of Gloves

• Gloves are garments covering the hand, with separate sheaths or openings for each finger and the thumb, and are made of materials such as cloth, wool, leather, rubber, latex, neoprene, silk, and metal.

• Gloves protect and comfort hands against cold or heat, damage by friction, abrasion or chemicals, and disease, and are used in pressure suits and spacesuits.

• Latex, nitrile rubber, or vinyl disposable gloves are worn by healthcare professionals as hygiene and contamination protection measures.

• Criminals wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints, but the gloves themselves can leave prints that are just as unique as human fingerprints.

• Fingerless gloves are useful where dexterity is required that gloves would restrict, and are used by cigarette smokers, church organists, cyclists, guitar players, and others.

• A hybrid of glove and mitten contains open-ended sheaths for the four fingers and an additional compartment encapsulating the four fingers, called convertible mittens or "glittens."

• Gloves appear to be of great antiquity, as depicted in an ancient Egyptian tomb dating to the 5th dynasty and mentioned in Homer's The Odyssey.

• Gauntlets were a strategic part of a soldier's defense throughout the Middle Ages, but the need for gauntlets disappeared with the advent of firearms.

• During the 13th century, gloves began to be worn by ladies as a fashion ornament, and the Glovers' Company was incorporated in 1613.

• Leather gloves have been worn by people for thousands of years, and are used in sporting events, occupational hazards, and by criminals.

• Leather dress gloves that are worn very tight and possess very short, elasticized wrists, are most often referred to as cop gloves or law enforcement gloves because of their prevalence as issued duty gloves for many law enforcement agencies.

• Driving gloves are designed for holding a steering wheel and transmitting the feeling of the road to the driver, and provide increased grip and control at speed.

• Several European standards relate to gloves, including those for personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.The History and Significance of Gloves

• Gloves have been used for thousands of years, with evidence of them being worn in ancient Egypt and Rome.

• Gloves were originally worn for practical reasons, such as protection from the cold or while handling dangerous materials.

• In medieval times, gloves became a symbol of status and were often embroidered with gold and silver thread.

• Gloves have also been used in various forms of art, such as puppetry and mime.

• The phrase "throwing down the gauntlet" comes from the medieval practice of knights throwing their gloves as a challenge to a duel.

• In the 19th and 20th centuries, gloves became a popular fashion accessory, with various styles and materials being used.

• The white glove has been a symbol of elegance and formality, often worn by butlers and other service professionals.

• The use of gloves in sports, such as boxing and baseball, is also well-known.

• The image of a hand wearing a glove has been used in various logos and symbols, such as the Hamsa hand in Middle Eastern culture.

• Gloves have played a role in various historical events, such as the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics and the O.J. Simpson murder trial.

• Michael Jackson's single jeweled glove has become an iconic part of his image and has been auctioned off multiple times.

• This article incorporates text from a 1911 publication now in the public domain, the Encyclopædia Britannica.