The flag has always been a product of politics, history and religion. It is an expression of patriotic pride and nationalism. It is also a product of technology with the movement away from hand sewn to machine made flags. Today, instead of a small shop operated by a seamstress, tailor and/or upholsterer, we have a flag company acting as producer.
This entity can manufacture and/or sell the product. In this way, it is similar to the original flag makers. Both aim for quality goods. A flag needs to meet certain requirements before it can be sold. A high quality and reputable flag company is like the early craft people. It intends to deliver a quality product and make a profit at the same time.
Customers of Early Flag Makers
Flags are not always in high demand. Early flag makers did not make their living solely from the production of flags. They were tailors, seamstresses and upholsterers. They sewed clothing, linen, upholstery and similar items. They did so by hand until the invention of the sewing machine in the 1840s.
Another source of income were merchant ships. In fact naval vessels of any type required flags. They needed them to identify their ship and, of course, to use as signal devices. Flags were an important part of any naval ship – peace, war or merchant. Contracts with the owner of several vessels could be lucrative.
Flags also were popular whenever a threat to the country became public. Wars always increased the sale of flags. The populace, the government and the military all wanted flags. As a result, the early flag makers often created small shops during the times of the American War of Independence and the American Civil War.
Another source of income were politicians. While the government used flags as a unit, politicians later sought to establish themselves in the public eye by flags. These “stick flags” – they were small flags or pennants attached to sticks, became a popular tool for politicians. They handed them out at rallies. Their supporters would then wave them catching the attention of passer bys and indicating for the media the popularity or even the stance – if a message was placed on the flag, of the stand on a specific issue by the politician.
Modernity Arrives
Modernity and technology produced new uses for flags. The small shops became small and even larger companies. Some, such as Annin (1847) began as a little shop and went on to become a flag company. The same applies to Valley Forge (1882/1930) Flag. These companies continued to produce flags for the government, the, political parties and the armed forces.
Wars continued to play a large role in their increased production. Yet, they also had other clients seeking flags. The arrival of the automobile resulted in a new demand for flag. New and used car lots sought specific flags to identify themselves. In fact, throughout the later 20th and into the 21st century, flags began to increase their role as a means of identifying companies. Whether it was a car or a brewery, a flag company could now sell them something they could use.
During the early days of nationhood and flag production, flags were hand sewn and labor intensive. They were the product of a single or multiple hands working together in small shops or out of the home. Customers included the government, merchant ships and, of course military groups. Individuals bought flags during times of war, and to show their patriotism.
With the development of the sewing machine, flags became the product of a small flag company. They retained the old markets but new ones developed. As the automobile appeared and companies grew into large corporations, they sought and were sold flags. It has become a form of identification as well as advertising. In spite of changing times and the development of more technology, this simple method continues to be a useful tool.
