The familiar puff of color attached to the tops of graduation caps, shaking pom poms in a stadium, or swaying from a cheerleader’s hands has a surprisingly ancient lineage. The question of when were pom poms invented does not point to a single eureka moment but rather to the evolution of a symbol, moving from sacred ritual objects to tools of mass entertainment. Long before modern plastics and synthetic fibers, cultures around the world utilized knotted fibers for spiritual practice, ceremonial dress, and military signaling, laying the groundwork for what we recognize today as the pom pom.
Early Origins and Functional Roots
To trace the birth of the pom pom is to look at the functional necessity of ancient cultures. The primary historical use of knotted fiber balls was not decorative but auditory and practical. Nomadic tribes and early military units attached these balls to the tips of arrows or the ends of spears. As the projectile flew through the air, the knotting created a distinctive whistling or rustling sound, serving as an aerodynamic aid and a psychological weapon to unsettle opponents. This application dates back thousands of years, placing the functional ancestor of the pom pom in the mists of prehistory long before the term itself was coined.
The Etymology and Maritime Connection
Linguistically, the word "pom pom" is believed to be an onomatopoeic derivation of the sound these objects made when whizzing through the air. The term likely evolved from the Middle Dutch "pom" or the Old French "pompon," both of which imitated the noise of a flying projectile. A significant shift occurred in the age of sail. Sailors on naval vessels used knitted woolen balls, known as "scrubbies," that were tossed into the water when a ship was becalmed. As the vessel drifted, the current would pull these balls through the water, allowing the crew to measure the ship's speed in knots. This maritime use standardized the object’s form and solidified its place in global culture long before it entered the realm of entertainment.
The Birth of the Modern Decorative Pom
The transition from maritime tool to fashion accessory is generally pinned to the early 20th century. While the exact year is debated by historians, the decorative pom pom as we know it began appearing on high-fashion garments and millinery in the 1920s and 1930s. Designers of the Jazz Age embraced the playful texture and movement the balls added to cloaks and hats. However, the most significant manufacturing breakthrough came with the invention of the pom pom trim machine. This automated process, developed in the early 1900s, allowed for the consistent and mass production of uniform balls, making them affordable and accessible for widespread use in clothing and textiles.
Poms on the Gridiron and the Rise of School Spirit
Pom poms found their true calling in the realm of competitive cheerleading and sports performance. The earliest recorded use of pom poms specifically as rallying tools for crowds occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, evolving from simple paper "spirit sticks." The modern cheerleading pom pom, however, is largely attributed to Lawrence Herkimer, the "grandfather of cheerleading." In the 1960s, Herkimer began manufacturing and popularizing the plastic pom pom with its distinctive swirling streamers. This innovation provided the perfect visual accompaniment to the high-energy routines of cheerleading, transforming the object into an iconic symbol of school spirit and synchronized movement.
Materials and Manufacturing Evolution
More perspective on When were pom poms invented can make the topic easier to follow by connecting earlier points with a few simple takeaways.
