Who invented the bola/bolo tie?

Thu Jan 4 18:57:34 UTC 2007

As it happens, Jon, "string tie" is precisely what I thought I
remembered as being older than "bolo tie." I just didn't have the
stones to go with it, because I also seem to remember "string tie" as
describing the kind of tie worn by card sharps / card sharks, e.g. by
James Garner as "Maverick," in horse operas.

-Wilson

On 1/4/07, Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at YAHOO.COM>
> Subject:      Re: Who invented the bola/bolo tie?
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> OED has "string tie" (for me the term of choice) back to 1895. The "bolo" may be slightly more specific; if so, my ety. vote is for the Argentine "bola," made "masculine" for reasons of psychology and (mainly) euphony. And, for dyslexics, the similarity to "lobo" doesn't hurt.
>
>   JL
>
> Wilson Gray <hwgray at GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>   ---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
> Sender: American Dialect Society
> Poster: Wilson Gray
> Subject: Re: Who invented the bola/bolo tie?
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> FWIW, during the mid-'Fifties - unfortunately, I can't date the
> year(s) of popularity any more closely than that - the bolo tie was
> popular across a broad swath of the American public. I owned several,
> myself, and I'm not a pacesetter, WRT style. Somehow, I have an
> inkling in the back of my thinking cap that the name, "bolo tie," is
> newer, at least in Saint Louis, than the object itself. With luck, the
> other name will come back to me, but I'm not betting on it.
>
> The spelling, "bola," is new to me as of Barry's post.
>
> -Wilson
>
> On 1/3/07, Bapopik at aol.com wrote:
> > ---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
> > Sender: American Dialect Society
> > Poster: Bapopik at AOL.COM
> > Subject: Who invented the bola/bolo tie?
> > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > "Bolo tie" is being proposed as the official neckwear of Texas. In 1971, it=20=
> > =20
> > was declared the official neckwear of Arizona. Supposedly, Victor Cedarstaff=
> > =20
> > invented the tie in 1949 in Wickenburg, Arizona.
> > ...
> > However, his patent is 1954--after Newspaperarchive ads.=20
> > ...
> > OED has no entry whatsoever, despite this being list in Barnhart's New Word=
> > s=20
> > by 1980--over a quarter of a century ago. DARE also has no entry.
> > ...
> > Any bola/bolo tie thoughts or help?
> > ...
> > ...
> > ...
> > =20
> > _http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/texas/entry/bola_tie_bolo_tie/_=20
> > (http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/texas/entry/bola_tie_bolo_tie/)=20
> > ...
> > =20
> > Bola Tie (Bolo Tie)
> > =20
> > The bola tie (or bolo tie; =E2=80=9Cbola=E2=80=9D meaning ball) was declared=
> > the official =20
> > neckwear of Arizona in 1971. In 2007, the Texas legislature had a proposal t=
> > o =20
> > make it the official necktie of Texas as well.=20
> >
> > The official Arizona line is that the bola ties was invented by Victor=20
> > Cedarstaff in Wickenburg, Arizona in 1949. What=E2=80=99s not in dispute is=
> > that the ties=20
> > became very popular in the 1950s, especially when certain restaurants wante=
> > d=20
> > their customers to wear ties. =20
> >
> > Some say that the bola tie was invented by Native Americans and is of =20
> > uncertain date of origin. In 1953, =E2=80=9Cbolo ties=E2=80=9D appears in a=20=
> > shoe advetisement (not=20
> > the necktie use). In a 1954 ad, =E2=80=9Cbolo ties=E2=80=9D appears in the n=
> > ecktie form, a =20
> > product of Hickok (a company based in Rochester, NY and in Texas). =20
> >
> > Patents records show a =E2=80=9CSlide for a Necktie=E2=80=9D patented by Vic=
> > tor Emsiihiel=20
> > Cedaistaffi on May 24, 1954=E2=80=94AFTER Hickok was already selling bola t=
> > ies?=20
> >
> >
> > _Wikipedia: Bola Tie_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_tie) =20
> > A bola tie or bolo tie is a type of necktie consisting of a piece of cord=20
> > fastened with an ornamental bar or clasp. The bola tie was created in 1949=20=
> > by=20
> > Vic Cedarstaff in Wickenburg, Arizona and later patented.=20
> >
> > In the United Kingdom, bola ties are known as =E2=80=9CBootlace ties=E2=80=
> > =9D. They were=20
> > popular with 1950s Teddy Boys, who wore them with drape suits. =20
> > In the United States bola ties are widely associated with traditional cowboy=
> > =20
> > dress, and are generally most common in the western areas of the country. Th=
> > e=20
> > bola tie was made the official neckwear of Arizona in 1971. =20
> >
> > _Bolo Tie Shop=E2=80=94Glossary_ (http://www.bolotie.com/glossary.htm) =20
> > Bolo - is a western type tie with a decorative plaque strung on a lanyard=20
> > and having decorative ends=20
> >
> > _Arizona State Library_ (http://www.lib.az.us/museum/symbols.cfm) =20
> > State Neckwear=20
> > The Bola Tie=20
> > adopted 1973=20
> > Arizona=E2=80=99s official state neckwear was invented in Wickenburg, Arizo=
> > na. It is=20
> > worn around the neck in the same fashion as a necktie. It consists of a=20
> > cord, usually made of braided leather, which is held together by a decorati=
> > ve=20
> > clasp and often has some form of ornament on the ends of the cord.=20
> >
> > _Town of Wickenburg, AZ_ (http://www.ci.wickenburg.az.us/index.asp?NID=3D30=
> > 0) =20
> > In 1971 the Arizona Legislature decreed the bola tie the official state=20
> > neckwear. Vic Cedarstaff invented it in 1949 in Wickenburg. =20
> >
> > _The Arizona Republic_=20
> > (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/eastvalleyopinions/articles/0604cr=
> > -lawrence04.html) =20
> > Who knew there were so many bola lovers?=20
> > by Star Lawrence=20
> > Jun. 4, 2005 12:00 AM=20
> > (...)=20
> >
> > I have been rather starchily informed by several computer-lovin=E2=80=99 co=
> > wboys=20
> > that the thing is even legislatively approved. Sure enough, in 1971, Barry=20
> > Goldwater, with some assists from the Bola Tie Society of Arizona, convince=
> > d the=20
> > Arizona Legislature to declare the bola tie Arizona=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Coffi=
> > cial neckwear.=E2=80=9D=20
> >
> > An online search reveals several variations in spelling and origins for thi=
> > s=20
> > accessory. A bolo is a knife used in the Philippines and a bola is an anima=
> > l=20
> > leg tangler called a =E2=80=9Cboleadoros,=E2=80=9D made of leather thongs,=20=
> > which is used in=20
> > South America to bring down game.=20
> >
> > I am going with the one with the strings, the bola, as the =E2=80=9Cofficia=
> > l=E2=80=9D=20
> > spelling. (I can just see certain people who have written me this month sta=
> > rting=20
> > to jump off their chairs. Easy, easy.)=20
> >
> > One Web site I dredged up was written by a man who declared all ties stupid=
> > ,=20
> > but the stupidest of all, he said, is the bolo ("o-speller").=20
> >
> > He says a cowboy from Wickenburg (Vic Cedarstaff, if you must know) was=20
> > riding the range in the 1940s, when his hat blew off. Before he could grab=20=
> > it,=20
> > his horse either stomped it or defecated on it (the truth has been lost to=20
> > history, blessedly) and all he had left was the band and a concho. He place=
> > d this=20
> > around his neck for safekeeping, this gentleman says. One of his men, the=20
> > story goes, then said, =E2=80=9CNice necktie,=E2=80=9D and a fashion statem=
> > ent was born.=20
> >
> > Another version has Vic=E2=80=99s wife seeing this breathtaking piece of bl=
> > ing and=20
> > being swept away.=20
> >
> > Later, the story goes, =E2=80=9Cthe hatband that crawled out from under som=
> > e horse=20
> > poop=E2=80=9D was patented, then made official.=20
> >
> > Don Langlois, a librarian at the Arizona State Library in Phoenix, notes=20
> > only that the bola originated in Wickenburg. He makes no comment on the res=
> > t of=20
> > the story. He is, however, an adamant =E2=80=9Ca-speller.=E2=80=9D =20
> >
> > Another reader, Gigi Stacy, is an =E2=80=9Co-speller.=E2=80=9D She describes=
> > as =E2=80=9Cdim bulbs=E2=80=9D
> > those who prefer the =E2=80=9Ca.=E2=80=9D=20
> >
> > But when her letter to the editor was printed in these pages, she was=20
> > whacked by the style book and ended up talking about =E2=80=9Cbola ties.=
> > =E2=80=9D=20
> >
> > Joe Sharpless of Sun Lakes is an =E2=80=9Ca-speller,=E2=80=9D though he not=
> > es that he=20
> > originally spelled it with an =E2=80=9Co.=E2=80=9D=20
> >
> > He believes the cord and rock arrangement may have originated with the=20
> > Native Americans as a way of protecting particularly tasty chunks of turquo=
> > ise or=20
> > gold.=20
> >
> > _Lufkin Daily News_=20
> > (http://www.lufkindailynews.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/12/27/poly/fu=
> > n_legislation.html) =20
> > Legislators set to address issues of importance and of frivolity=20
> > By DENISE HOEPFNER=20
> > The Lufkin Daily News=20
> > Tuesday, December 26, 2006=20
> >
> > When the 80th Legislature convenes on Jan. 9, 2007, lawmakers will have ove=
> > r=20
> > 670 pieces of proposed legislation to consider, including those relating to=
> > =20
> > hot-button issues like health care, education, criminal justice, the offici=
> > al=20
> > state tie of Texas =E2=80=94 and football. =20
> >
> > District 39 State Rep. Armando =E2=80=9CMando=E2=80=9D Martinez of Weslaco f=
> > iled House =20
> > Concurrent Resolution 12 to designate the bolo tie as the official State Tie=
> > of =20
> > Texas because of its close association with images of cowboys and the wester=
> > n =20
> > frontier.=20
> >
> > According to the proposed legislation, the bolo tie, which was patented in=20
> > 1959 by an Arizona silversmith named Victor Cedarstaff, resembles a type of=
> > =20
> > tie worn by Native Americans in the early 1900s which consisted of a bandan=
> > a or=20
> > string fastened by a silver concho ornament and is also similar to the=20
> > string ties popular during the era when Texas was being settled.=20
> >
> > 16 October 1953, Newark (OH) Advocate and American Tribune, pg. 2 ad: =20
> > BOLO TIES=20
> > (On =E2=80=9Cfine shoes for men=E2=80=9D=E2=80=94ed.)=20
> >
> > 9 April 1954, Lincoln (NE) Star, pg. 16 ad:=20
> > The New HICKOK=20
> > BOLA TIES=20
> > The solution to your sport shirt-necktie problem. Hickok designed and=20
> > approved for dining by the finest hotels and restaurants. Bola Tie slips on=
> > and off=20
> > easily, fits any neck size. In a wide range of sport motifs.=20
> > One lot 2.50=20
> >
> > 3 May 1954, Charleston (WV) Daily Mail, pg. 2:=20
> > Don=E2=80=99t be surprised if it looks a little like Wyoming rodeo time in=20=
> > town this=20
> > summer when sports shirts blossom out.=20
> >
> > Some restaurants insist that men wear ties. So, Hickok has come out with a=20
> > thong (a strip of metal-tipped fiber or leather, to meet the dress decor=20
> > requirements).=20
> >
> > Already the =E2=80=9CBolo Ties=E2=80=9D are the rave in southwest resorts a=
> > nd in cities=20
> > such as Fort Worth and Dallas=E2=80=94and Chicago. =20
> >
> > The =E2=80=9Cknot=E2=80=9D is a handsome metal emblem.=20
> >
> > 15 March 1955, Ames (Iowa) Daily Tribune, pg. 22 photo caption:=20
> > Ryerson thinks bolo ties, like those on the sports shirts he is arranging,=20
> > will increase in popularity for local men.=20
> >
> > _Google Patents_=20
> > (http://www.google.com/patents?vid=3DUSPAT2896217&id=3DOBQCAAAAEBAJ&dq=3Dced=
> > arstaff&ie=3DISO-8859-1) =20
> > SLIDE FOR A NECKTIE Victor Emsiihiel Cedaistaffi =20
> > Patent number: 2896217=20
> > Filing date: May 24, 1954=20
> > Issue date: Jul 28, 1959=20
> > Inventor: Victor Emsiihiel Cedaistaffi=20
> > Patent Number Title Issue date=20
> > 5008981 Enclosed yoke clasp for bola-style necktie Apr 23, 1991 =20
> > 5664297 Bolo tie-type device and securing means therefor Sep 9, 1997 =20
> > Drawings=20
> >
> > (Trademark)=20
> > Word Mark BOLA TIE SOCIETY OF ARIZONA =20
> > Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 042. US 100. G & S: ASSOCIATION =20
> > SERVICES-NAMELY, PROMOTING INTEREST IN THE BOLA TIE. FIRST USE: 19661027. FI=
> > RST USE IN=20
> > COMMERCE: 19661027=20
> > Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING=20
> > Design Search Code=20
> > Serial Number 73097082=20
> > Filing Date August 19, 1976 =20
> > Current Filing Basis 1A=20
> > Original Filing Basis 1A=20
> > Registration Number 1066507=20
> > Registration Date May 24, 1977=20
> > Owner (REGISTRANT) Bola Tie Society of Arizona UNKNOWN Phoenix ARIZONA=20
> > (LAST LISTED OWNER) BOLA TIE SOCIETY OF ARIZONA ARIAONA UNINCORPORATED=20
> > ASSOCIATION 2650 W. UNION HILLS DRIVE PHOENIX, ARIZ. 85027=20
> > Type of Mark SERVICE MARK=20
> > Register SUPPLEMENTAL =20
> > Live/Dead Indicator DEAD=20
> > Cancellation Date October 18, 1983 =20
> >
> > (Trademark)=20
> > Word Mark HICKOK=20
> > Goods and Services (EXPIRED) IC 026. US 040. G & S: BUCKLES NOT OF PRECIOUS=
> > =20
> > METAL FOR PERSONAL WEAR. FIRST USE: 19091100. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 190911=
> > 00=20
> > Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING=20
> > Design Search Code=20
> > Serial Number 71534779=20
> > Filing Date September 17, 1947=20
> > Current Filing Basis 1A=20
> > Original Filing Basis 1A =20
> > Registration Number 0515573=20
> > Registration Date September 27, 1949 =20
> > Owner (REGISTRANT) HICKOK MANUFACTURING CO. INC. CORPORATION NEW YORK 850 =20
> > ST. PAUL STREET ROCHESTER NEW YORK=20
> > Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED =20
> > Prior Registrations 0177816=20
> > Type of Mark TRADEMARK=20
> > Register PRINCIPAL-2(F)=20
> > Renewal 1ST RENEWAL 19690927=20
> > Live/Dead Indicator DEAD =20
> >
> > (Trademark)=20
> > Word Mark HICKOK=20
> > Goods and Services (EXPIRED) IC 025. US 039. G & S: BELTS IN THE NATURE OF=20
> > GARMENT SUPPORTERS, SUSPENDERS OR BRACES; MEN=E2=80=99S GARTERS AND CRAVATS=
> > . FIRST=20
> > USE: 19191100. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19191100=20
> > Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING=20
> > Design Search Code =20
> > Serial Number 71547546=20
> > Filing Date January 20, 1948=20
> > Current Filing Basis 1A=20
> > Original Filing Basis 1A=20
> > Change In Registration CHANGE IN REGISTRATION HAS OCCURRED=20
> > Registration Number 0517146=20
> > Registration Date November 1, 1949=20
> > Owner (REGISTRANT) HICKOK MANUFACTURING CO. INC. CORPORATION NEW YORK 850=20
> > ST. PAUL STREET ROCHESTER NEW YORK=20
> > (LAST LISTED OWNER) TANDY BRANDS, INC. CORPORATION ASSIGNEE OF DELAWARE=20
> > SUITE 660, WEST SIDE PLAZA 550 BAILEY AVENUE FORT WORTH TEXAS 76107=20
> > Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED=20
> > Attorney of Record DAVID S. ABRAMS=20
> > Prior Registrations 0274484=20
> > Type of Mark TRADEMARK=20
> > Register PRINCIPAL-2(F) =20
> > Affidavit Text SECT 15.=20
> > Renewal 2ND RENEWAL 19900315=20
> > Live/Dead Indicator DEAD=20
> >
> > (Trademark)=20
> > Word Mark HICKOK=20
> > Goods and Services (EXPIRED) IC 025. US 039. G & S: BELTS IN THE NATURE OF=20
> > GARMENT SUPPORTERS, SUSPENDERS OR BRACES; MEN=E2=80=99S GARTERS AND CRAVATS=
> > . FIRST=20
> > USE: 19191100. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19191100=20
> > Mark Drawing Code (3) DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS=20
> > Design Search Code 24.01.01 - Shields or crests (plain) with neither a=20
> > figurative element nor an inscription contained therein or superimposed the=
> > reon=20
> > 26.15.21 - Polygons that are completely or partially shaded=20
> > Serial Number 72467048=20
> > Filing Date August 30, 1973=20
> > Current Filing Basis 1A=20
> > Original Filing Basis 1A=20
> > Registration Number 1031094 =20
> > Registration Date January 20, 1976=20
> > Owner (REGISTRANT) HICKOK MANUFACTURING CO., INC. DBA HICKOK CORPORATION NE=
> > W=20
> > YORK 845 AVENUE G EAST ARLINGTON TEXAS 76011=20
> > Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED=20
> > Prior Registrations 0274484;0557328;AND OTHERS=20
> > Description of Mark THE DESIGN ABOVE THE LETTER =E2=80=9CO=E2=80=9D IN =E2=
> > =80=9CHICKOK=E2=80=9D IS LINED=20
> > TO INDICATE THE COLOR RED.=20
> > Type of Mark TRADEMARK=20
> > Register PRINCIPAL=20
> > Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR). =20
> > Live/Dead Indicator DEAD=20
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------
> > The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
> >
>
>
> --
> All say, "How hard it is that we have to die"---a strange complaint to
> come from the mouths of people who have had to live.
> -----
> -Sam'l Clemens
>
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--
All say, "How hard it is that we have to die"---a strange complaint to
come from the mouths of people who have had to live.
-----
-Sam'l Clemens

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