Barbed Wire History

The twisted steel wire with sharp points at regular intervals is the barbed wire. This is one of the most cheap ways of fencing and very effective indeed. This simple tool changed the way the ranchers from wild, wild West tamed their cattle. This article will take a look back into the past and help you learn more on the history and timeline of barbed wires and who invented it.

Historical Background

Since time immortal, before the invention of barbed wire, thorny bushes, stones, mud, and trees were used to build barriers. But the wooden fences were very costly and were not easily available in the plains and prairie regions. Also, rocks were scarce in the plain that forced the farmers to search for more alternatives.

The Smooth Wire Fence
In 1870, smooth wire was invented and it was available in all sized and lengths. This smooth wire was used as fencing by many farms to hold their cattle. However, this fence was weak and could easily be broken by the weight of the cattle.

The First Wire Fencing
The first wire fencing was invented by Michael Kelly who twisted two wires together in the form of a cable. This was the first of its kind fencing with points in 1874. It was known as 'thorny fence'. These double strand fence was stronger and could keep the cattle from trying to escape.

Who Invented the Barbed Wire
The first barbed wire fencing was visualized by Joseph F. Glidden of Dekalb, Illinois. He was attending a county fair and observed a demonstration that showed a wooden rail with sharp nails that protruded from the sides. These nails were hanging inside a smooth wire fence. He came up with a practical idea and went on to invent the barbed wire fence. He developed a design of a simple wire barb locked onto a double strand wire. He also invented a way that helped locking the barbs in place and machines for mass production of these wires. He received a patent for his design on 24 November 1874. Even today, his design remains the most effective fencing style.

The Devil's Rope
The fencing altered the lifestyle of Native Americans. They were not able to roam freely on the lands that were once free for all. The cattle herders found lesser plains for feeding their cattle as boundaries made less available public land. Soon the remaining public areas were overgrazed and cattle herding soon turned into an extinct occupation. The Native Americans called the barbed wire fencing as 'the Devil's rope'.

Property, Security and War
The use of barbed wire was not limited to herding cattle. Soon, people began to use it to protect their property and houses. The military used this fencing in 1888 and were encouraged by the British military manuals.

The Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders defended their camps with barbed wire fencing during the Spanish-American War. The five strand barbed wire fences were used to protect the British troops from encroachment of the Boer commandos in South Africa. Even today, they are used to protect houses, establish territories and for confining prisoners.

The Timeline

1865: An unsuccessful pointed wire product patented by Louis Jannin of France.

1867: A yet another unsuccessful attempt by two inventors to add points to smooth wire fences.

1868: The practical wire with points with better quality invented by Michael Kelly that was used till 1874.

1872: The patent for an improved wire fence filed by Joseph F. Glidden.

1873: Glidden visits and exhibition on wooden rail with series of sharp protruding spikes by Henry M. Rose.

1873: Glidden along with Jacob Haish and Issac Ellwood improve upon the idea by Henry Rose and come up with a new wire fence.

1874: Half interest sold to Ellwood by Glidden for his barbed wire patent for $265.

1874: Patent awarded to Glidden for his first barbed wire fencing invention.

1874: Barb Fence Company was formed in partnership by Glidden and Ellwood.

1875: There are over 570 patents filed by many inventors after Gliddens barbed wire.

1876: The other half interest to Glidden's patent is sold to Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Co.

1877: Glidden declared by the courts as 'Father of Barbed Wire'.

This is all about the history of barbed wires and who invented it. Joseph Glidden, the man behind this invention is thanked for inventing this design that is still used even today.