Hydraulic-Press Brick Co. lapel pin

Object/Artifact

National Building Arts Center

Front of HPB screw-back lapel pin

Small metal pin with clutch/backing, featuring a red brick design and the word "Hy-tex" in tarnished or black lettering

Name/Title

Hydraulic-Press Brick Co. lapel pin

Description

Small metal lapel pin with a red 'Hy-tex Brick' design and a screw-back fastener clutch.

Use

Promotional object, used for the purpose of advertising the company, to commemorate an event, or to show appreciation to employees of the company. This pin was likely worn on the lapel of a businessman or salesman for HPB.

Collection

Promotional object displays

Made/Created

Time Period

20th Century

Notes

The pin is attributed to the Hydraulic-Press Brick Co., but they are unlikely to have manufactured the pin. The screw-back fastener clutch can be dated to the 1920s-1930s when it was invented for use on military uniforms, so this screw-back pin can be dated to after this period, when these types of pins became commercially available.

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Pin, Lapel

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Pin, Clothing

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Clothing Accessories

Nomenclature Class

Clothing

Nomenclature Category

Category 03: Personal Objects

Getty AAT

Concept

metal

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Height and width is taken from the front of the pin, diameter is taken from the clutch.

Height

2.4 cm

Width

1 cm

Diameter

1.4 cm

Parts

Count

Parts

Lapel pin and screw-back fastener clutch (pin backing)

Material

Metal

Color

Red, Black

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Condition Type

Rust, Tarnish, Flaking

Date Examined

Jul 18, 2026

Examined By

Elena Marshall

Cleanliness

The pin itself has some substantial rust or tarnish, on both the pin and its backing.

Surface

The surface of the pin has some flaking of what looks like a shiny top coat or enamel coating.

Mechanism

The backing can screw on and off the pin, but with a little force due to the rust.

Research Notes

Research Type

Researcher

Person

Elena Marshall

Web Links and URLs

Military insignia forum and discussion of the origins of screw-back lapel pins.

Notes

(See Made/Created)

Create Date

July 18, 2026

Update Date

July 18, 2026