Who Invented The Hanger? A Short History of Clothes Hangers

The question of who invented the hanger is both simple and surprisingly layered.

And for design and sourcing teams at Qunxing Hangers, this history offers valuable lessons about how small shifts in material and form reflect larger changes in manufacturing, fashion, and consumer demand.

Early Origins: From Hooks to Hangers

Long before modern hangers, people used simple pegs, hooks, or racks to hang garments. In fact, some attribute an early precursor to the hanger to Thomas Jefferson, who reportedly devised a closet rack for his home at Monticello — though that device was more of a furniture‑scale solution rather than a personal hanger for individual garments.

The first true step toward a hanger was made in 1869, when O.A. North of New Britain, Connecticut received a patent for a clothes hook — a milestone dating roughly to when people began to need better ways to store coats and outerwear.

Birth of the Modern Hanger: Who Invented the Coat Hanger

While North’s design laid essential groundwork, the hanger as we know it became real with Albert J. Parkhouse.

In 1903, working at the Timberlake Wire & Novelty Company in Michigan, Parkhouse improvised a hanger by bending a piece of wire into two ovals and twisting them together with a hook at the top.

The story goes that he did this after finding the factory cloakroom lacking in coat hooks — a simple act of practicality that changed wardrobes forever.

So, when asked “who invented the hanger?” — the answer often credited is Albert J. Parkhouse (for the familiar wire hanger).

That said, the innovation really traces back to earlier efforts like North’s 1869 patent, and even earlier furniture‑based closet solutions attributed to figures like Jefferson.

From Wire to Wood to Plastic: Types of Coat Hangers

Over time, hanger materials and forms evolved to meet changing demands. The early hanger was metal/wire because it was cheap, utilitarian, and easy to mass‑produce. Today, modern metal hangers have evolved significantly in quality and finish.

But as wardrobes diversified — heavier coats, tailored suits, dresses, delicate fabrics — manufacturers began exploring other materials.

Wooden hangers emerged as a durable, shape‑preserving option especially suited for suits and heavy garments. Some even believe Jefferson may have used an early wooden hanger design in his wardrobe setup.

Later, with the advent of molding and mass‑production, plastic hangers became widespread. Plastic offered cost‑effectiveness, flexibility in form (allowing hangers for different garment types: pants, skirts, children’s clothes), and ease of large-scale production. Understanding how plastic cloth hangers are manufactured shows why they became the dominant choice for global retail.

Today’s hanger market includes many variations: padded hangers for delicate fabrics, hangers with clips for skirts/pants, non-slip coatings, velvet covers, even wooden hangers designed to resist pests or add fragrance (in the case of cedar).

Connecting History to Modern Sourcing & Design Demands

For sourcing and design teams — like yours at Qunxing Hangers — the evolution from simple wire hook to diversified hanger types underscores important lessons:

• Material matters. As garments became more varied (heavy coats, delicate dresses, tailored suits), the need for hangers that preserve shape, prevent creasing, and offer durability increased. That’s why wood, padded, and plastic hangers emerged.
• Function drives form. What began as a utilitarian solution — a bent wire — evolved into specialized forms. This suggests that hanger designs often follow changes in clothing styles and garment care needs.
• Sustainability & modern trends. With rising environmental awareness, demand for eco‑friendly and sustainable hangers (e.g., wood from responsibly sourced timber, recycled plastic) is likely to grow. Also, for premium garments, consumers and retailers may demand hangers that go beyond “just hanging” — preserving fabric integrity and appearance.
• Retail and display demands. As shown by early 20th‑century retailers (e.g., the first to use wishbone‑style hangers to display clothes), hanger design influences how garments are presented — affecting perceived quality, brand image, and consumer experience.

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Why Should the History of Hangers Matter to You?

Understanding when were coat hangers invented — and who invented the coat hanger — helps sourcing and design teams like yours anticipate shifts in materials, garment types, and consumer expectations.

For a company like Qunxing Hangers, knowledge of this evolution can guide material selection, encourage innovation in functional design and help foresee future trends.

Need help sourcing modern, sustainable hangers that reflect today’s garment care standards? Contact us to get started.