Belt Pocket

by Ottilie Wider, 1904

Inventor

NAMEOttilie Wider
PATENTUS776631A
DATEDecember 6, 1904
LOCATIONPatented in the USA – inventor residing in Philadelphia, citizen of Germany
INVENTION“Belt”
THEMEConcealing

BIO —

In her patent, Ottilie Wider only tells us about her citizenship and residency. Further research suggests she might have been born in 1865 and trained as a nurse. This makes her approximately 39 at the time of her belt invention. We found two other patents filed by Wider, also with the same solicitors. These involve improvements in nursing equipment – a fountain syringe and a temperature chart.

The belt with a secret pocket is different, yet still shares similar impulses to make something small and mundane do more. We also found evidence in the archives to suggest Wider was married and her husband was also an inventor. So, it is possible they shared experiences and contacts.

Invention

PROBLEM —

Wider identifies a problem familiar to women all around the world for centuries – not having enough pockets. She writes: “Usually a lady carries a purse in her hand or places it in a bag attached to her belt or tucks it inside her waist, inasmuch as ladies garments are not as a rule provided with pockets of any kind.” This was unacceptable to her, so she set about reworking something she was already wearing – a belt – making it do more than it was initially designed for.

SOLUTION —

Wider’s inventive response is to utilise the space inside the end of a belt. “One form of ladies’ belts now extensively used has a free end projecting to one side of the buckle or from the fastening devices, which latter it overlaps or covers.” She further explains: “The object of my invention is to utilize this end of the belt by converting it into a pocket to carry coins and other small articles.”

“I provide a pocket which is within convenient reach, can be easily opened and closed, and is of sufficient dimensions to hold enough money for ordinary purposes.”

— Ottilie Wider, inventor

The Perplexing Problem of Pockets

THE POCKETS WOMEN MAY HAVE – “Women are learning that they must have pockets, if not in their skirts, then elsewhere. The latest are the glove and hosiery pockets. The belt pocket is quite new. A little patch pocket is made on the inside of the belt, and is useful for money or a watch.”

The Buffalo Commercial1908

“One of the greatest drawbacks to a woman in the 19th century has been her lack of good pockets. She could not experience the exhilaration from rattling a pocketful of loose change – keys and ten penny nails. She has had no place to keep a penknife; hence could not enjoy the pleasure of a store box. She has been hampered everywhere.“

Democratic Standard, Ohio1896

PERPLEXING PROBLEM OF POCKETS – “[T]here is a rumour afloat among modistes that the emancipated woman is rebelling at her pocketless gowns, especially those designed for streetwear, and that within a few months she will demand pockets, or at least wear them by proxy.”

Boston Sunday Globe1904

WORLD'S USE OF POCKETS – "The world demands more pockets than it has... The women have none, and if they ever get within hailing distance of equality with men, they must have dozens… No pocketless people has ever been great since pockets were invented and the female sex cannot rival us while it is pocketless.”

New York Times1899

Speculatively Sewing Ottilie Wider's Invention

Wider’s patent shows multiple variations on the theme of belt-with-pocket. Her drawings offer many ways of hiding a cavity in a range of differently styled belts and buckles. We attempted to reconstruct a version of Fig. 4. This was partially because we were able to easily source purse-closures that looked similar. We started with paper versions to test out the scale. We tried to find the right proportions between the belt and its end, so as to offer space for “coins and other small articles”. We talked about what these “smaller items” might be – keys? notes? jewellery? medication?

Our calico versions were useful. But as can be seen from the images and animation, calico is a firm fabric, so the belt looks wider and less gathered than in the patent drawings. The final versions of the belt, in a softer cotton and cotton blend material, demonstrated more clearly how the invention worked.

We made it to a scale where it operated as a belt and the wearer could use it to safely store small items — the wearer could insert two fingers to access the items. Not only did it secure items of value but also enabled the wearer to forgo the need for a handbag. It freed up her hands for other uses. This would have been essential for a nurse, and useful for other workers too.

We remade the belt 5 more times, each version customised for one of the performers in the “POCKETS of POWER” show. This performance was inspired by a collection of unusual and surprising pockets in our research and developed in collaboration with the feminist theatre company Scary Little Girls. It was first shown at Glastonbury 2023, Being Human festival in London and the Mayven Arts festival in Cornwall.