On my internet travels I found my self on the Land's End web site where there are several paragraphs on the history of buttons . Some of you might like to read it. Go to
www.LandsEnd.com, click on "about us", when that page comes up click on "Library" at the top of the page, next page up look down the paragraphs for Sartorial Origins, you will find a heading "A History of the Button". Enjoy!