The History of Sewing Needles

You might be surprised to learn that the oldest needle dates back to about 60,000 years ago. It is a human-constructed needle made from an animal bone and it was found in South Africa. Other needles made from bone and ivory have been found in various locations, including Slovenia, China, and Russia. Early sewing needles were used to help humans protect themselves from the cold during the most recent ice age. Needles for use in the arts took longer to develop. The first eyelet needle was made around 25,000 years ago. Over time, specialized needles in various styles were developed specifically for different types of sewing. Today, there is a sewing needle for just about any project you want to do!