Dolly Pegs

Description:

Wooden clothes pegs also known as a dolly pegs or a clothespin. A peg is used to secure washing being dried outside to a rope or line. Originally these were made from wood from the willow tree. The peg would have a small head and be split up the middle to allow for it to fit over thick garments and blankets. Wire was sometimes used around the top of the peg near the head to stop the wood from splitting further.

Although pegs were discovered in ancient burial sites the first patented peg wasn’t until 1809 by Jérémie Victor Opdebec. Over the years Dolly Pegs became an important source of income for the travelling community with them being sold from door to door. On occasions dolly pegs were exchanged directly with shops for required provisions.

These days there is a wide choice of different pegs available. These traditional dolly pegs are still sold, along with wooden lever pegs with a wire spring and colourful plastic pegs.

Not only have pegs been used in the process of drying clothes outside but due to their resemblance to a person have been made into “Peg Dolls”. Arms were added, faces painted on and the peg clothed in bright and colourful outfits.