the upsurge in interest in body piercing had created enough interest that simonton advised jim ward, who was working as a picture framer at the time, that he should start a body piercing business. in 1975, simonton advanced ward the money to start gauntlet, originally a home based business, and jim began to produce body piercing jewelry and learn how to pierce. this business began in november 1975, and it is considered the first of its type in the united states and was the beginning of the body piercing industry.