The History of Party Streamers (Crepe Paper)

Crepe paper, named after crêpe fabric, was first introduced in the 1890s and is considered the direct predecessor of modern party streamers. By 1906, the Dennison Manufacturing Company, the largest crepe paper supplier in the United States, was producing crepe paper in 134 solid colors and 28 printed patterns. Crepe paper was used primarily for costumes and household decorations. In fact, shortly after crepe paper was introduced, the Buffalo-based Heath sisters began teaching other women how to create decorative items out of crepe paper and even gave demonstrations in Dennison-owned outlets and department stores. Much of crepe paper’s appeal came down to its low cost and disposability, both qualities that were seen as “modern” at the time. During World War I, Dennison and Kimberly-Clark both produced medical lines of crepe paper that were intended to be used as disposable bandages. Crepe paper was also sometimes used to make disposable medical garments. In the 1920s, the visiting nurses of the Milwaukee Health Department wore crepe paper uniforms that could be easily disposed of after visiting someone with a communicable disease. However, crepe paper was much better known for its artistic uses. In fact, in 1927, the Dennison Manufacturing Company began publishing a bimonthly magazine called Dennison’s Party Book (later renamed to Parties) which instructed hostesses on how to make their own party entertainments. Crepe paper was often used to decorate the home and tablescape, especially for parties. Elaborate crepe paper flowers were popular (chrysanthemums, roses, tulips, and violets, in particular), as were various related novelty items. Crepe paper was also used to make elaborate costumes for parties (costume parties were all the rage at the time and guests would often dress up as different flowers, natural elements like wind, or even people from foreign cultures). Crepe paper was also used to decorate fair booths, parade floats, and cars. The 1920s were the height of the crepe paper craze, but the material continued to be used in a decorative capacity well beyond its heyday. By the 1950s, crepe paper was no longer viewed as a fabric for making costumes, but was a firmly entrenched part of party decorations. Today, crepe paper lives on in the form of party streamers, which are still often used to decorate homes and offices for birthday parties and other celebrations.