Older generations did this before every winter: the small wooden peg that changes everything when it freezes

Before electric dryers and plastic pegs, there was a charming wooden tool that shaped winter rituals for generations. This small wooden peg, both simple and ingenious, held clothing firm against gusts and cold snaps. Its story is more than nostalgia—it’s a peek into past lives and a clever design that still ticks today!

The magic of the old wooden peg in cold weather

Long before modern appliances, washerwomen battled the wind with trusty wooden pegs. These weren’t just pegs, but tiny carved pieces of nature’s gift, often made from willow or hazel. Their split end gripped wet laundry tightly, keeping socks and scarves from flying off on blustery days.

People called them “dolly pegs,” not just because of their shape resembling a little figure with arms, but because they were part of household storytelling and craft. Kids even transformed them into makeshift dolls, proving these pegs held far more cultural charm than mere utilitarian use.

The evolution that changed laundry forever

The original peg was a solid wooden stick split on one end—but slip-prone against the wind. Enter 1853: David M. Smith, from Vermont, revolutionized things with a spring-loaded wooden peg. Two wooden arms joined by a metal spring, allowing a tight, reliable grip on clothes drying outside.

This design quickly conquered households and remains remarkably similar today. It solved what Smith described as a “serious evil to washerwomen”—clothes blowing away mid-dry. As plastic and electric dryers took over, this classic remained a symbol of days when patience met practicality.

Behind the scenes: The cottage industry of peg-makers

Winter was a time for “woodland bodgers,” craftswomen and farmers who crafted pegs from flexible woods. Their handiwork was vital income during frozen months when fields froze over and farming halted. These pegs found their way into homes across Britain and beyond, linking generations through a shared winter tradition.

In Australia, the demand rose so much that large factories, especially in Tasmania, produced millions of wooden pegs each year from sassafras wood. These operations shaped not just the industry but the social fabric, offering work and familiar warm rituals in cold kitchens and bustling lines outside.

A nostalgic icon, now a sustainable choice?

Though plastic pegs dominate today, wooden clothespins have found new fans in the eco-conscious. Their biodegradability and simple charm appeal to those craving a slower, more grounded lifestyle. Using them in summer is a small act of tradition and environmental respect rolled into one.

These humble wooden pegs carry whispers of sun-dried laundry scent, children’s laughter crafting dolls, and quiet winter evenings. They tether more than clothes—they connect us to a rhythm of life where every chore held a touch of heart and heritage.

Élisabeth-Sophie Bonicel

At 38, I am a proud and passionate geek. My world revolves around comics, the latest cult series, and everything that makes pop culture tick. On this blog, I open the doors to my ‘lair’ to share my top picks, my reviews, and my life as a collector