| If you are interested in pin trading, you should | | | | The first nation to do this was Sweden in 1906, |
| know that it has a long and colorful history. While | | | | but others soon followed, and within a few |
| pin trading is a common hobby today, this has not | | | | decades it was definitely the standard way of |
| always been the case. Pin trading has changed | | | | doing things. Soon after athletes started wearing |
| naturally over a long period of time from a very | | | | pins featuring their national colors, it became a |
| exclusive and ceremonial pastime to a hobby | | | | common occurrence for athletes from two |
| enjoyed by anyone with an interest in it. The | | | | different nations to exchange pins as a symbol of |
| following should help you to understand the basics | | | | unity. As this was happening, other changes |
| of the history of trading pins, and possibly even | | | | occurred as well. First, the badges underwent a |
| give you some insights into exactly how the | | | | variety of changes. They began to change in use |
| history relates to your personal experience in the | | | | and style. As time went by, they became the |
| hobby. | | | | trading pins that we are familiar with seeing today. |
| The earliest trading pins were not actually pins, | | | | In 1980, spectators were allowed to collect and |
| nor were they intended for trading. These early | | | | trade pins for the first time. This activity quickly |
| versions were actually badges used at the | | | | spread and became a popular hobby. Collecting |
| Olympics. These badges served the purpose of | | | | pins has spread and become a much more varied |
| making officials and athletes easy to visually | | | | activity than it was originally. However, pin trading |
| identify as representing a nation. This took place | | | | as a hobby owes its existence to the original |
| as early as the first modern Olympic Games, | | | | badges used in the first Olympic Games, as well |
| which was in 1896. Of course, as time went by, | | | | as the long process of slowly accumulating |
| the tradition of using badges to associate | | | | changes that followed it. Without this long, rich, |
| participants with their home nations changed to | | | | and complex history, the hobby of pin trading as |
| more closely resemble the pin trading hobby that | | | | we see it today would simply not exist. Luckily for |
| we know of today. | | | | us, these events did take place, and we have a |
| First, national colors became used on the badges. | | | | hobby to enjoy as a result. |