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Buttons were a form of personal expression in mass-market form. Advertising pins had been a popular way to support political candidates ever since “I Like Ike,” They became ever more popular in the ‘60’s, when it was all about letting your voice be heard. You didn’t need to be a hippie, or go to a protest – you could just stick a plastic shell with a little metal pin on yourself and everyone knew where you stood on peace, bra banning, and making love and not war. You could be as loud as your wanted to – you could yell it out on your lapel, or you could subtly whisper it on a back pocket.

 

In the 1980’s, kids took the button look to the extreme. Little plastic buttons featuring everything possible – bands, TV shows, logos – appeared on jean jacks, backpacks, purses, and everywhere else. You could proudly state your love of the Dukes of Hazzard or the Sweathogs right on your person with these shiny plastic pins. Or you could just be funny and tell people "You're Ugly and Your Mother Dresses You Funny" and "Life's a Beach!"

In the early part of the decade, pins got much smaller, and you couldn’t have too many of them. While Madonna stacked rubber bracelets on her arms, kids supported their favorite bands with dozens of pins, usurping concert t-shirts as the way to show your fandom. Tiny pins featuring Michael Jackson, Cindi Lauper and Culture Club decorated everything that could have a pin stuck through it.

 

"Make Your Own Button" machines took advantage of the craze, and kids could cut out picture of their friends and make their own buttons. Or they could just cut out pictures of Chachi and Rick Springfield from Tiger Beat, and slip them into the plastic casing. There’s always a little extra room on that acid-washed denim jacket for just one more button.