resources on grommets

While at the reference desk on Friday,  a student asked for help on grommets–the history, origin, how they changed culture and business. We found patents, articles in American Periodical Series, and some news articles about new uses of grommets.  I found some other resources later so if anyone comes with this question, please let me know.  Grommets are used in sails, tents, shower curtains, hats,  shoes, bras, corsets, crack pipes, art works, cars, planes, tubes to help prevent ear aches,  and many other military and industrial uses.  A search of Westlaw Campus and LexisNexis found some cases in which failed grommets caused personal injuries.  Some patent litigation cases have information on the uses of grommets.  The OED was consulted for the origin of the word.   Sometimes, in fashion, they are referred to as “eyelets.”