Definition of the word clothes hanger

The term "clothes hanger" refers to a small, metal or plastic device used to hang and store clothes. Its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century when the modern washing machine revolutionized the way people did laundry. Prior to this, clothes were typically washed by hand, wringing them out, and then hung to dry. As machine washing became more common, there was a need for a device to properly hang and organize clothes during the drying process. The first patented clothes hanger, in the form of a sturdy metal hook, was created in 1869 by Theron Potter Burgess. However, it wasn't until the 1900s that the design of clothes hangers began to change. The earliest version of the modern clothes hanger was created by Merelyn Evans, a laundry owner from Boston, Massachusetts, in 1903. The design, which consisted of two hooks connected by a wire, allowed for multiple items to be hung in a compact space. Over the years, the design of clothes hangers has continued to evolve. In the 1930s, the first plastic coat hanger was invented, offering a more affordable alternative to the metal variety. Plastic hangers have since become the most common type of hanger due to their lightweight, space-saving properties. Today, clothes hangers come in a variety of materials and styles, including felt-coated wire hangers, wooden hangers, and padded hangers designed to prevent creasing. Despite these variations, however, the basic function of a clothes hanger remains the same: to efficiently and effectively hang and store clothes.