Aside from materials, the shape of the straps themselves has evolved. Thurston’s first model had an H back; both straps went from front to back with an extra piece holding the parallel straps together. It resembled an uppercase H. X back suspenders, with two straps that crossed behind, came along next, and Y back suspenders, with two frontal straps that merged into one back strap, followed. All three kinds are still available on the market today. Laborers favor the H back, while the average consumer leans toward the X or Y back.
Thurston was not the sole inventor with skin in the game. Samuel Clemens, better known
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