The safety pin was invented by Walter Hunt (1795-1859) in 1849. He patented the safety pin on April 10, 1849 (patent No. 6,281). Hunt’s pin was made by twisting a length of wire. Hunt invented the safety pin in order to pay a debt of $15; he eventually sold the rights to his patent for $400.
Walter Hunt was a mechanic who lived in New York, New York; he developed many other inventions, including an early sewing machine, a new type of fountain pen, and a new knife sharpener.