The clothes hanger was invented by a worker named Albert Parkhouse. At the time, he was a blacksmith making lampshades for a wire and handicraft company in Michigan, USA. One day, he angrily discovered that all the coat hooks in the factory's cloakroom were occupied. He angrily took a piece of lead wire, bent it into the shape of a coat shoulder, and added hooks to it. His boss claimed the invention and patented it, thus marking the origin of the clothes hanger.
Domestic Origin: The clothes hanger is one of the earliest pieces of furniture to appear in China. Starting with the Zhou Dynasty, a system of rites was implemented, and the aristocracy placed great importance on clothing. To meet this need, racks specifically for hanging clothes appeared relatively early. The form and name of clothes hangers varied across different dynasties. During the Spring and Autumn Period, the horizontal wooden pole used for hanging clothes was called a "heng," also known as a "mu shi."
During the Song Dynasty, the use of clothes racks became more widespread than in previous dynasties, and there are illustrative examples. For instance, a clothes rack depicted in a dressing scene in a Song Dynasty tomb mural in Yuxian County, Henan Province, consists of two uprights supporting a horizontal bar. The horizontal bar extends beyond the uprights at both ends, curving slightly upwards and shaped like flowers. Two horizontal wooden blocks stabilize the uprights at the bottom, and an additional horizontal stretcher is added between the two uprights below the upper horizontal bar for reinforcement.
Ming Dynasty clothes racks maintained the traditional overall design, but the materials, craftsmanship, and decoration became even more refined. The bottom of the rack is supported by two wooden blocks, both inside and out, with relief carvings of meander patterns. Uprights are placed on these blocks, and two openwork scrollwork brackets at the front and back provide support. The upper and lower parts of the brackets are connected to the uprights and blocks with mortise and tenon joints. A latticework panel, assembled from small pieces of wood, is installed between the blocks. Because the latticework panel has a certain width, it can hold shoes and other items. The lower side of each horizontal bar's connection to the uprights is supported by openwork meander pattern brackets. From material selection and design to carving and craftsmanship, clothes racks reached a high level of artistry during the Ming Dynasty.
Ming and Qing Dynasty clothes racks were elegant in shape, exquisitely decorated, meticulously carved, and glossy in lacquer. Ming and Qing officials wore black gauze hats with red tassels and long robes with round collars and horseshoe cuffs adorned with rank badges on the front and back. Therefore, Qing Dynasty clothes racks were tall, with horizontal bars on the upright posts, projecting at both ends and carved with patterns. Robes were draped over these horizontal bars, forming what was known as a "dragon gate rack." The Qing Dynasty implemented a policy of "changing clothing," promoting the wearing of Manchu clothing. The Manchus were physically robust and tall, and their clothing was large and heavy. The clothing of the wealthy and powerful was made of brocade and silk embroidered with phoenixes and flowers. Therefore, the opulent, dignified, and enormous nature of Qing Dynasty clothes racks was a characteristic of this period and distinguished it from other eras.
Qing Dynasty clothes racks, also commonly known as "court robe racks," were primarily used to hang men's official robes. Therefore, all the main beams of these racks resembled two dragons with their heads raised, lying proudly horizontally, symbolizing a prosperous official career. Other decorations, such as those depicting "Fortune," "Prosperity," and "Longevity," further emphasized these values.
These ancient clothes racks have undergone further evolution and development in modern times. The combination of traditional styles and modern functionality has resulted in new home furnishing products with a unique charm.