The history of polka dots stretches back centuries, with early origins tied to limitations in fabric production and unfortunate associations with disease.
Early Origins: More Plague Than Party
The exact invention of dotted patterns is believed to have happened in the Middle Ages. However, unlike today's fashionable print, early irregularly spaced dots were not popular. This was largely due to the lack of sophisticated fabric machines that could create uniform patterns.
Furthermore, in an era without modern medicine, these imperfect dots unfortunately reminded people of the visible symptoms of devastating diseases such as:
- Leprosy
- Syphilis
- Smallpox
- Bubonic Plague
- Measles
This association with rashes and disease made the dotted pattern deeply unpopular for a long time, carrying negative connotations rather than being seen as a decorative choice.
While the provided reference focuses on this early, challenging period, the dotted pattern would later evolve dramatically, shedding its negative image to become the cheerful and stylish polka dot we recognize today.
