History and Purpose of Straight Jackets

Straight jackets were introduced around 1770 and were primarily used to prevent individuals with severe mental illness from harming themselves or others by restricting their arm movements. The jackets, with overly long sleeves tightly securing the arms at the back, aimed to limit physical harm while allowing some freedom of movement. Initially considered a humane alternative to chaining patients, straight jackets saw increased use in asylums alongside the growth of these mental health facilities, reflecting changing attitudes towards treating mental illnesses.