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{{Short description|Pattern consisting of an array of large filled circles of same size}}
{{for multi|the town|Polkadot, North Carolina|the cryptocurrency|Polkadot (cryptocurrency)}}
[[file:Polka dots.svg|right|thumb|Red polka dots on a yellow background]]The '''polka dot''' is a [[pattern]] consisting of an array of large filled circles of the same size.<ref name=oxf/>
[[file:Handgefertigte Keramik.JPG|thumb|Polish [[Bolesławiec pottery|"Bunzlauer"]] ceramics]]▼
[[file:Eierbecher Waechtersbach 1930s.jpg|thumb|German ceramics]]▼
[[File:Frédéric Bazille 001.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|[[Frédéric Bazille]]'s 1867 painting ''Family Reunion'', containing two women in blue polka dot dresses]]▼
Polka dots are commonly seen on [[children's clothing]], [[toy]]s, [[furniture]], [[ceramics]], and [[Central Europe|Central European]] [[folk art]], but they appear in a wide array of contexts. The pattern rarely appears in formal contexts
▲Polka dots are commonly seen on [[children's clothing]], [[toy]]s, [[furniture]], [[ceramics]], and Central European [[folk art]], but they appear in a wide array of contexts. The pattern rarely appears in formal contexts, and is generally confined to more playful attire such as [[bathing suits]] and [[lingerie]].
== Etymology ==
== History ==
The invention of dotted patterns is believed to have happened in the [[Middle Ages]], but because of a lack of fabric machines and modern medicine, the pattern of irregularly spaced dots made people think of the [[rashes]] caused by diseases like [[leprosy]], [[syphilis]], [[smallpox]], [[bubonic plague]], and [[measles]].<ref name=oldtimey>{{cite web |url=https://theoldtimey.com/the-fascinating-origins-of-polka-dots/ |title=The Fascinating Origins of Polka Dots |author=Colleen Welsch |date=December 17, 2021 |publisher=The Old Timey |access-date=2024-05-29}}</ref> Hence, the pattern was associated with plague and uncleanliness.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-11-25 |title=The secret history of spots, stripes and other everyday patterns |url=https://qz.com/557690/the-secret-history-of-spots-stripes-and-other-everyday-patterns |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=Quartz |language=en}}</ref> The modern version of polka dots is believed to have become widespread during the [[Industrial Revolution]] (c. 1760) and the invention of the first [[sewing machine]] (in 1790), when perfectly round and evenly spaced dots could be created because of mechanized weaving.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-19 |title=A History of Polka Dots, in Case You’re Wondering How They Came to Be |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/a32839249/polka-dot-history/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=Cosmopolitan |language=en-US}}</ref>
However, starting in middle of the 19th century, the pattern started to spread among the [[Social class|lower classes]] of society at that time, who were looking for more interesting colors and patterns but could not afford the silks of the upper classes. It was also at this time, the name “polka dots" is believed to be connected to an [[Eastern Europe]]an dance called the [[polka]], though the reasons behind this association are varied and mostly discredited. Before the name “polka dots” was ingrained, the dotted fabric went by various monikers, including dotted-Swiss (which possibly alludes to the holes in [[Swiss cheese (North America)|Swiss cheese]]), the Spanish name [[wiktionary:lunares|''lunares'']], the French term ''[[wiktionary:quinconce|quinconce]]'', and the German word ''thalertupfen''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maisey |first=Sarah |date=2022-04-01 |title=A history of polka dots: the pattern's enduring fashion appeal |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2022/04/01/a-history-of-polka-dots-the-patterns-enduring-fashion-appeal/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref>
Polka dots gained popularity in the United States around the time of the [[Roaring Twenties]], when [[Norma Smallwood]], Miss America of 1926, wore a polka dot swimsuit, influencing the general public about the latest fad of that time. <ref>{{Cite web |title=The fascinating history of polka dots - Where do polka dots come from? |url=https://www.retrosetup.com/history-of-polka-dots/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=Retro Setup |language=en}}</ref>
== Usage ==
One of the earliest media that showcase the popularity of polka dots is the depiction of [[Minnie Mouse]]. The character started wearing an iconic red dress with white polka dots in the 1928 title card animations of the short film ''[[Plane Crazy]]''. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelleher |first=Katy |date=2018-04-03 |title=The History of the Polka Dot, from Minnie Mouse to Yayoi Kusama |url=https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-history-polka-dot-minnie-mouse-yayoi-kusama |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=Artsy |language=en}}</ref>
In 1962, [[DC Comics]] introduced [[Polka-Dot Man]] with irregularly-sized and differently coloured dots. Polka-Dot Man made his first theatrical debut in the film ''[[The Suicide Squad (film)|The Suicide Squad]]'' directed by [[James Gunn]]. He was played by actor [[David Dastmalchian]].▼
▲
Since 1975, a red-on-white Polka-dotted jersey is awarded to the leader in the [[Mountains classification in the Tour de France|Mountain stages]] of the annual [[Tour de France]] cycling tournament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Polka Dot Jersey|url=https://www.letour.fr/en/the-jerseys-tour-de-france/the-polka-dot-jersey|website=www.letour.fr|access-date=3 March 2021}}</ref>▼
▲Since 1975, a red-on-white
Some people associate polka dots with Venezuelan fashion designer [[Carolina Herrera (fashion designer)|Carolina Herrera]], who used polka dots on most of her dresses during the late 1980s and early 1990s, as well as on the boxes of perfume [[Carolina Herrera (fashion designer)|Carolina Herrera]], Herrera For Men, Aquaflore and Flore.<ref>{{cite web|title=Embroidered Polka Dots Lace Top|url=https://www.joycard.gr/product/embroidered-polka-dots-lace-top/|website=www.joycard.gr|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
Much of the Japanese artist [[Yayoi Kusama]]'s work features a polka dot motif,<ref>{{cite web|last=Lylynguyen|title="Queen of Polka dots" holds exhibit in Vietnam|url=http://vxartnews.com/2013/05/queen-of-polka-dots-holds-exhibit-in-vietnam/|publisher=VX Art News|access-date=13 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061336/http://vxartnews.com/2013/05/queen-of-polka-dots-holds-exhibit-in-vietnam/|archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Nachmann|first=Ron|title=Of obliteration and polka dots: films on the vividly obsessive art of Yayoi Kusama|date=3 January 2012 |url=http://dangerousminds.net/comments/obliteration_polka_dots_films_kusama|publisher=Dangerous Minds|access-date=13 May 2014}}</ref> and the [[cryptocurrency]] [[Polkadot (cryptocurrency)|Polkadot]] takes its name after the design.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-06 |title=Polka-dot Japanese Culture - Polka Dot Musroom Bars |url=https://polkadotmushroomstore.com/ |access-date=2019-01-21 |language=en-US}}</ref>
The polka dot also appears in popular music. "[[Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini]]" is a novelty song telling the story of a shy girl in a very revealing bathing suit who stays immersed in the ocean water to hide from view. It was written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss and first released in June 1960 by Brian Hyland. Before that, however, "[[Polka Dots and Moonbeams]]" was a popular song with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke, published in 1940. It was Frank Sinatra's first hit, recorded with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. The song is one of the top 100 most-frequently recorded jazz standards<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jazzstandards.com/compositions-0/polkadotsandmoonbeams.htm|title=Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals (Polka Dots and Moonbeams)|website=www.jazzstandards.com|access-date=2018-01-23}}</ref> with arrangements by Gil Evans and others and notable recordings by Lester Young, Sarah Vaughn and many others.▼
The 1943 [[Twentieth Century Fox]] Technicolor musical film ''[[The Gang's All Here (1943 film)|The Gang's All Here]]'', directed by [[Busby Berkeley]], featured a large production number "The Polka-Dot Polka".<ref>{{Citation|last=Gregory May|title=The Polka-Dot Polka|date=2008-10-17|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G62rN_mFfFw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/G62rN_mFfFw| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-24}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The song was written by [[Harry Warren]] and [[Leo Robin]], referencing the 19th
▲The polka dot also appears in popular music. "[[Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini]]" is a novelty song telling the story of a shy girl in a very revealing bathing suit who stays immersed in the ocean water to hide from view. It was written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss and first released in June 1960 by Brian Hyland. Before that however, "[[Polka Dots and Moonbeams]]" was a popular song with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke, published in 1940. It was Frank Sinatra's first hit recorded with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. The song is one of the top 100 most-frequently recorded jazz standards<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jazzstandards.com/compositions-0/polkadotsandmoonbeams.htm|title=Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals (Polka Dots and Moonbeams)|website=www.jazzstandards.com|access-date=2018-01-23}}</ref> with arrangements by Gil Evans and others and notable recordings by Lester Young, Sarah Vaughn and many others.
== Gallery ==
▲The 1943 [[Twentieth Century Fox]] Technicolor musical film ''[[The Gang's All Here (1943 film)|The Gang's All Here]]'', directed by [[Busby Berkeley]], featured a large production number "The Polka-Dot Polka".<ref>{{Citation|last=Gregory May|title=The Polka-Dot Polka|date=2008-10-17|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G62rN_mFfFw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/G62rN_mFfFw| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-24}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The song was written by [[Harry Warren]] and [[Leo Robin]], referencing the 19th Century Polka Dot craze in the lyric, and sung by [[Alice Faye]] with the Busby Berkeley dancers.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Gang's All Here|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035916/|access-date=2017-09-25}}</ref>
<gallery>
▲
File:Publicity handout of Norma Smallwood, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, winner of Miss America in 1926, posing in a Polka Dots bathing suit.png|Norma Smallwood (winner of 1926 Miss America) popularized polka dots design in this publicity handsout
File:1 - Plane Crazy.jpg|Title card of Plane Crazy animation which introduces Minnie Mouse wearing polka dots dress
File:18374820 2 600x600.jpg|Smiling woman wearing white dress with black polka dots
File:Green polka dot dress.jpg|Woman wearing the 60's polka-dots fashion dress
File:Rood met wit gestipte katoenen sandalettes met dikke plateauzool en hoge blokhak, objectnr 69409-1-2.JPG|Polka dots shoes
▲
File:Plate, oval (AM 1990.17-1).jpg|An oval plate with multiple polka dots colours
</gallery>
== See also ==
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{{fabric}}
[[Category:Patterns]]▼
[[Category:Dot patterns]]
[[Category:Polka]]
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