1. Buttonhooks appear in many shapes and sizes, and materials utilised range from steel to gold, and from early plastic to inlaid gems. Buttonhooks are wonderful collectible items and are collected worldwide

2. Buttonhook (plural Buttonhooks) A hook used to pull thread through the holes of a button

3. Buttonhooks are inexpensive, take up very little space and were made in an astonishing variety of shapes and materials By Christopher Proudlove © When was the zip fastener invented? Apparently, one Elias Howe came up with what he called "an automatic continuous clothing closure" in 1851.