When was snapping invented

The more snaps that fill the empty space, the more people are pursing their lips and nodding their heads. Have you ever wondered why people snap their fingers, rather than clap their hands, in some situations? This quiet signal of agreement is not new; the form of recognition spans back centuries ago.

Historians debate where snapping originated or when it began replacing clapping in specific cultures. In addition to snapping, Romans would raise their handkerchiefs or flap their togas to show their appreciation. In the s, beatnik poets — who fought against social conformity and the publishing industry — evolved in the NYC scene. Among these groups of poets were revolutionary figures like Allen Ginsberg and Gary Snyder, who performed in popular coffee shop basements such as the renowned Gaslight Cafe.

Noise complaints ultimately forced performers to start snapping instead of clapping. Could you imagine that? The loudest snap on record was recorded at decibels. For comparison, a motorcycle makes sounds that are recorded at about decibels.

Try a super loud snap or try to make the quietest snap you possibly can. Observe how the volume changes depending on how much force you create between your finger and your thumb. Whether your snaps are quiet or loud, slow and steady, or super-fast, remember that the sound all comes back to those vibrations in the air. You can help Ask Dr. Universe change the world, one science question at a time. Learn about the Dr. Search for:.

Videos Activities Podcasts. Dear Amelia, When I got your question, I snapped my fingers a few times to try and find the exact source of the sound. Rivets add strength to the corners of areas of strain like pockets, and just like the jean button, it offers an opportunity for branding via stamping. All the various fasteners start as rolls of sheet metal. This passes through a pressing machine. The component fastener parts come out of the pressing machine on one side, and waste metal comes out on another side.

All waste metal is returned to the steel plant next to the factory to be recycled into new sheets. Component parts are taken to another area of the plant to be assembled.

Once assembled they are stored by weight until an order comes in. All orders then proceed through the surface finishing process, based on the finish required.

Quality control happens at this stage, and is completed by a human being. If an order passes the checks, it is then taken to be packed. Should an order fail quality control process the entire order will be returned for recycling, and the order will be re-processed.

So next time you snap closed a coat or bag, think of all the work behind that fastener!! But where did it begin and why is it so popular?