People traditionally broke piggy banks because it was the intended and often only method to access the coins saved inside. These early savings vessels were specifically designed to be broken, making the act of retrieval a significant and deliberate one.
Historically, piggy banks were crafted with a particular purpose and design in mind:
- To Encourage Saving: They featured a coin slot at the top, allowing easy deposits but no simple way to withdraw funds. This design inherently promoted the habit of saving by making it inconvenient to remove money for impulse purchases.
- To Discourage Theft: Without an opening other than the coin slot, the contents were secure from casual pilfering. The act of breaking the bank served as a deterrent, as it was a clear and irreversible step.
- Cost-Effective Manufacturing: Piggy banks were often made cheaply, which further reinforced the idea that they were not meant for repeated access. Their construction meant that the very act of getting the money out required destroying the bank itself. The phrase "breaking the bank" literally applied to these items, signifying the final action needed to reclaim one's savings.
This design philosophy ensured that reaching one's savings was a committed decision, reinforcing the value of the money accumulated within.
