Quick History of Patches

The Knights Templar Shield Patch

Badges and patches have been collected since ancient times…as far back as Greek and Roman times.  The pilgrims made collections of small images of gods and made them into emblems.   The patches started off as metal pin badges.  These badges were collected as souvenirs to remind them of special occasions or holidays. 

Early in the 20th Century Europe, hiking became popular, people began sewing badges to show how many resort towns they had visited, sort of a badge of honour and proof of their accomplishments.

There were a few uniform patches authorized in WWI, but towards the end of WW II, American soldiers started a new trend and sent their badges back stateside to show their loved ones where they were stationed or what accomplishments they made.  These badges were famously known as “sweetheart badges” and became very popular to collect.Patches began to steadily become very popular in WWII but were still given limited usage on the uniform, and quickly became a source of pride to all those who wore them. 

The oldest patch on record belongs to the 1st Infantry Division.  Their first patch was created in 1918 and was a very simple patch - a banner shape with a large red number 1.   The 1st infantry patch is still one of the most recognizable and sought after patches to this day.  The 1st Infantry has a long and rich history, and therefore a large amount of honour and pride, strength and valour is associated with the patch. 

Division identification patches were being heavily regulated in WWII, but still the divisions and brigades began creating their own patches that were unique to each division.   During the Vietnam War, the patches started to subdue their colours, and the bright reds, greens and yellows were subdued more to match the uniforms.    The patches began as simple insignia - small in size, simple shapes and very simple designs.  Their importance however, was very big.  Patches gained in popularity, and also grew in size and complexity of the designs. 

As Patches grew in popularity they became more complex and more detailed with different shapes and sayings on them and are very different from the earlier first patches.  

Today patches are still a mark of honour that is easily identified.  Patches are good to boost morale, and are a mark of pride and history of a group or division.   When you see someone wearing a military patch you don’t recognize, there will most likely be a rich history behind the patch, and a great story to tell.   So ask and learn a bit of history!

OMLpatches.com