Pocket protectors were created to protect fountain pens from leaking ink, but have become a symbol of nerdiness. They are still used by engineers and technicians, and can be purchased in different styles including the stealth, badge holder, and full front.
A pocket protector is a small polyvinyl pouch that fits neatly into a front shirt pocket to protect the wearer from leaking pens or sharp instruments. Unfortunately for some and fortunately for others, a pocket protector has also become an icon of nerdiness, much like Buddy Hollyesque’s thick glasses and ill-fitting plaid pants. It is not unusual to see a pocket protector double as a badge or logo holder for a company. Many engineers and other technicians still wear some form of pocket protector as a show of pride in their perceived geekiness.
The pocket protector actually arose out of a real need. Before the advent of ballpoint pens, many people carried fountain pens with ink cartridges or wells. These feathers would seep through an unprotected shirt pocket in seconds, creating an unsightly mess. Other instruments, such as slide rules, pencils, and rulers, tend to poke holes in fabric over time. In 1947, a manufacturer in Chicago created the first pocket protector from a polyvinyl chloride material. The plastic insert formed an impenetrable barrier in the user’s pocket, while the front flap served as free advertising for the company.
Over time, however, the popularity of the pocket protector began to wane. Ballpoint pens replaced messy font varieties, reducing smudge incidents. Fewer people had the need to fit an array of pens or instruments in their front pockets, except for engineers and others still commuting between their offices and the field. Meanwhile, society began to associate the pocket protector with a nerdy subculture, making it an unacceptable fashion accessory for many people.
Despite its declining popularity, quality pocket protectors can still be obtained through online catalogs, office supply stores, and gift shops. There are generally three different styles available: the stealth, the badge holder, and the full front. A stealth pocket protector fits neatly inside the pocket with no overhang, making it virtually invisible. The badge holder contains a clear pocket that can hold a company ID or other identification document. For those who aren’t afraid to let their geek flag fly, the full front pocket protector can be customized with a company logo or other design.
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