Glove stretcher is a 19th century device for "easing" (stretching) the gloves.[1] The rounded tips of the stretchers, typically made of two wooden pieces hinged in the middle and spring-loaded,[2] were placed inside the fingers of a glove. The handles were then squeezed so the fingers were stretched,Шаблон:Sfn allowing the glove to be put on without damaging it.[3] The scissors-like implements were also made from metal and celluloid.[4]
Kid leather was considered to be the best material for gloves worn by a proper Victorian lady, as cotton and silk were easily stretchable, thus revealing the imperfections of a hand. The leather of a young goat was essential to emulate the desired appearance of a hand with tapered fingertips. The scissor-like stretchers were helping to preserve the shape of the glove fingers after washing.Шаблон:Sfn
A 1908 advice on washing the chamois gloves suggests using the stretcher as an alternative to washing and drying the gloves on hands.[5]
In the 19th century the stretchers were widespread, every "good" shop or household was expected to have one.[3] In the 21st century the original device resembling the scissors is largely forgotten. Haglund reports that while playing a version of the Kim's game, children are no longer able to guess the purpose of the implement.[6]
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