Eli5. How did a red white and blue spiral pole become synonymous for barber shops?

Question

Eli5. How did a red white and blue spiral pole become synonymous for barber shops?

In: 403

Answer 1

Just for the record, in my experience at least (I’m in my late 60s), the traditional barber-surgeon’s pole in the UK is red and white. Red for blood, white for bandages is how I was taught it. Image searches largely support that. I’m not saying that you won’t see blue, but it feels like a recent/US addition.

(Just asked my wife what colour a barber’s pole is. Without prompting: “Red and white”. So it’s not just me.)