Yarnster

Have you ever wondered why embroidery scissors are shaped like storks? Well, these scissors didn't actually start out as scissors, but as umbilical clamps. Sometimes, the clamps would be used with a set of forceps shaped like snakes. Why snakes? To symbolise the Rod of Asclepius, the Greek god of healing and medicine.

Between the 19th century and now, these little stork scissors have gone through some really big changes. In the past, most of them were between four and a half to six inches long, with their heads mounted at almost a 45-degree angle. The beaks were heavy clamps not meant to cut, but to restrict the blood flow before the umbilical was cut. Some even had little babies hidden inside the stork's beak that would appear when the clamps were opened.

The midwives began to use the scissors for needlework that they carried with them to work on during long waiting times when babies were being born.

Who knew these scissors had such a long history that started with delivering babies? The Smithsonian has a medical bag on display with a pair of stork scissors, in their American History Collection.
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