The original pole had a brass wash basin at the top (representing the vessel in which leeches were kept) and bottom (representing the basin that received the blood). Origin in barbering and surgery Antique red and blue striped pole in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, United Statesĭuring medieval times, barbers performed surgery on customers, as well as tooth extractions. For example, if the shaft or tower of a lighthouse has been painted with a helical stripe as a daymark, the lighthouse could be described as having been painted in 'barber's pole' colors.

Ī 'barber's pole' with a helical stripe is a familiar sight, and is used as a secondary metaphor to describe objects in many other contexts. The pole may be stationary or may rotate, often with the aid of an electric motor. The trade sign is, by a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, a staff or pole with a helix of colored stripes (often red and white in many countries, but usually red, white and blue in Japan and the United States). 1938, North Carolina Museum of History Barber shop in Torquay, Devon, England, with red and white poleĪ barber's pole is a type of sign used by barbers to signify the place or shop where they perform their craft. A software rendering of a spinning barber pole Barber pole, c.

1920 1927 mills gold slot machine