DALLAS, Jan 19, 2001/ FW/ --- Most people, including visual merchandisers only know 2 ways to tie a tie – the single knot and the Windsor knot are the two most common ways.

But according to the book, “The 85 Ways To Tie A Tie,” there are 85 ways… surprise!

The book traces the 150-year his-tory of the ties. It says that until 1900 there was only one. In the 1930s, Edward, the Prince of Wales, became the unwitting embodiment of two more, even though he in fact wore neither.

It was not until 1989 that a fourth became popular. In the 150-year history of the modern tie, only four tie knots have been recognized.

Book authors, Thomas Fink and Yong Mao, who are both Cambridge physicists, trace the peculiar evolution of the knotted neckcloth from the seventeenth century to its modern form.

Using applied models used in physical science, they discovered 85 ways to tie a tie, thirteen of which survived their aesthetic test, and earned their recommendation.

The result is a rich blend of history, science, fashion, and practicality that will become the must-have accessory for all well-dressed men and of course, a very useful tools to visual merchandisers.