Evolution of merit badge emblems

[mrkstvns]

The look and feel of merit badges has evolved quite a bit since scouting first began in the early 20th century.

In the beginning, merit badges were embroidered on a square piece of cloth.  Later, the edges around the embroidery began an inexorible process of shrinking, and being rolled up along the edge. It wasn't until the 1960s that merit badges which looked like the kind we give scouts today started to emerge, with no cloth background apparent and a neat twilled border all the way round.  The different stages of merit badge evolution are identified as "Type A" through "Type K".  

Found this cool image on the 'net that shows how merit badges looked across the decades...

 

[The Latin Scot]

I LOVE these types of posts and articles. Thank you for sharing!