Red Tape Hair Stick with Historic Graphic

• National Archives Store Exclusive
• Handcrafted in Connecticut, U.S.A.
• One-of-a-kind
• 13 inches long, 1/2 inch diameter setting
• Authentic U.S. government red tape
• Artisan crafted, not watertight; remove before showering or swimming

• Product Description

• The red tape is the true star of our hair stick! It makes a perfect gift for the lady who enjoys adding a subtle touch of history to her life, and lends a beautiful accent to her look.

  The red tape used to make this jewelry comes from records held in the National Archives. As the Archives works to protect and preserve our nation's records, improvements to storage methods mean that documents are no longer tri-folded and tied together with red tape. Archivists are "cutting the red tape" and protecting our precious artifacts using the newest approved methods of preservation.

By the end of the American Civil War, it was common practice in the Western world to bind important documents with red ribbon. Civil War veterans' service records were often tied with red ribbon, and the difficulty of obtaining these records to file pension claims led to the modern American phrase "cut through the red tape."

The amount of ribbon used by the Union Army was considerable. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1864, the headquarters of the War Department alone purchased a total of 154 miles of red tape. Eventually, the stapler would replace red tape bindings, streamlining administrative tasks. Today, artists creatively repurpose red tape, transforming it into unique historical mementos and souvenirs.