History of rubber bracelets: from fashion to fundraising
Rubber Bracelets, began as an anti-fashion, anti-establishment punk rock statement in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Originally, black rubber O-rings were worn as bracelets. These bracelets represent anti-jewelry sentiment, as rubber has no value or status compared to precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum.
They became very popular in the 1980s when celebrities wore them during their concerts and videos, but these bracelets weren’t really rubber, they were actually silicone bracelets; today they are still made of silicone. Around the same time, jelly bracelets became a fashion item; thin rubber bands that came in many opaque and translucent colors. Translucent ones can even be found with glitter embedded in them. These exciting novelties can be purchased anywhere; pharmacies, gum vending machines, mail order, or others. The goal was to use as many as possible, sometimes hundreds. It was very common to exchange and share among friends.
In the late 1990s, elastic band bracelets became popular. In this case, thick rubber bands were obtained around ringed vegetables at the grocery store and worn around the wrist. This trend, however, did not last long as real rubber is very uncomfortable; It breaks down and sticks to skin and hair, and is quickly broken down by sweat and body oils and disintegrates.
Once again, this fad had its flaws and was consigned to history. The next popular bracelet craze was Jelly bracelets which came in different colors and became known as sex bracelets. The different colors, as you may have guessed, represented a certain sexual act that the user was willing to perform. An interested party would only have to approach the user, adjust the band of his/her choice and he/she would become the recipient of that particular act.
The sex bracelet code breakdown was known among teens, listed on websites, and posted anywhere teens seem to investigate. The meanings varied, some invented their own, but what was said when wearing the bracelets was well known among this age group. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t long before sex bracelets were banned in schools. If interested, anyone can go online and find the different sex colors listed!
If one didn’t feel like buying jelly bands, there were instructions on how to make one. One set of instructions called for cutting thin strands of rubber from an old tire with a very sharp knife. Once this is done, the strands can be braided or woven into the desired style.
Another intriguing way to make a bracelet is to unroll 3 condoms, using as many color combinations as desired, and braid them together; the more color and texture, the better. Once this is done, thread a metal clip on each end to keep it secure and voila! You are now the proud owner of your very own exclusive Jelly bracelet.
Like all fashions, these bracelets seem to come and go for different purposes. In 2004, Lance Armstrong and Nike joined forces. They created the yellow LiveStrong band that quickly became their motto and helped raise money for the Armstrong Foundation for Cancer Research. Today, almost anyone with a purpose and a cause can create a rubber bracelet. In addition to being fun and decorative, these bracelets can also be positive and instrumental in conveying an important message. Who knows; one may even have a message that is important to you one day.
Today, rubber wristbands are widely used by groups of all sizes to raise money. They are cheap, but very popular and very profitable. Plus, they have the long-term benefit of spreading awareness of your cause.