Who invented those little plastic things?

Dear Madame L, 

Who invented those little plastic things that hold price tags on new clothes, and why do they put them right in the seam of the clothes so if you try to tear them out you rip a big hole in said clothes?

Answer: Did Madame L say she would answer all questions? Well, yes, she did. And she's telling you now that her answer to some questions, alas, will have to be, "I don't know."

Madame L has NOT been able to find, after a thorough 3-minute search of the Web, who invented those little plastic things that hold price tags on clothes and other items. Nor does she know why clothing manufacturers place those little plastic things where they do. However, she has noticed recently that they seem to be placing them in labels instead of the clothes themselves. Maybe that's because people like you and Madame L have complained so loud and long about ruined clothes.

Madame L HAS been able to find an interesting article online about why you should never try to tear those little plastic things off with your teeth. It's the same reason you should not be opening soda cans with your teeth, biting your nails, sucking on lemons or your thumb, and a number of other nasty habits: It will damage your teeth. 

Searchingly,

Madame L