Etymology
The term "wingnut" originated in the early 20th century and is a combination of two words:
Meaning
A wingnut is a type of nut that can be tightened or loosened manually without the need for tools. It is typically found on items that require occasional adjustment, such as:
Origin
The invention of the wingnut is attributed to Charles Goodyear, an American inventor known for his development of vulcanized rubber in 1844. In addition to rubber, Goodyear also experimented with other materials, including a variety of metals. It is believed that he came up with the idea of a wingnut while trying to improve the nuts used on his rubber products.
Goodyear's wingnut design was initially made of iron and had two flat, perpendicular wings. The wings allowed for easy tightening and loosening with just the fingers. This design proved to be highly practical and was quickly adopted by other manufacturers.
Over the years, wingnuts have been made in various materials, including:
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