The Interesting History of Paper Bags
Paper was invented in 105 A.D. by Ts'ai-Lun a courtier from China. The word paper was derived from the papyrus, which was abundantly growing along the Nile River in Egypt. The former was made up of pulped cellulose fibers like wood, flax or cotton. It was mainly used for writing, printing, wrapping and packaging.
Paper in its early years appeared to be different than that common these days. Before, they were made from flax fibers and old linen rags. It was in the year 1867 when the wood pulp originating paper was developed.
Commercial paper bags were first manufactured in the year 1844 in Bristol, England. In 1852 Francis Wolle invented a bag-making machine. In 1870, glued paper sacks and the gusset design were incorporated in the machine. Finally, it was in the year 1905 when a machine that automatically produces a wide variety of in-line printed paper bags was invented.
Paper bags increased its popularity and use in the 20th century. Said popularity was affected when plastic entered the scene of packaging. Nonetheless, plastic did not topple the paper bags industry because it was more responsive to environmental concerns compared to plastic.
The very first recorded grocery paper bags were during the year 1630. However, a woman named Margaret (Mattie) Knight discovered the most vital part of the paper bag making machine. She was then an employee in a paper bag factory. The new machine part she had invented was capable of making square bottoms for paper bags to keep the things inside stand upright.
Another important aspect of that invention is that the part would automatically fold and glue paper bags in order to make a square bottoms. Before, paper bags were more like envelopes this is the reason why said invention was pretty useful in that milieu.
Margaret Knight was born in 1838. Ever since she was a kid, she loved discovering and exploring. In fact, at an early age of 12, she had already an idea for a stop-motion device that could be used in textile mills.
She was considered as the female version of Thomas Edison. Her being a woman did not stop her from inventing and discovering machines and machine parts. In fact her inventions included dress and skirt shield appeared in 1883. A year after she invented clasp for robes. In the subsequent year, spit was also invented. In 1894, she had invented several things, which include the numbering machine and the window and frame and sash. In 1902, rotary engine was also invented.
Moreover, her most-valued invention was that machine part used in making paper bags. With this invention, Knight has been named the queen of paper bags. In 1970, she has founded the Eastern Paper Bag Company. However, it was not easy for her to be acknowledged in connection with her contribution to paper bags industry and the rest of her inventions. This was because most workmen doubted the ability of women when it came to machines. Nonetheless, credit must be given to whom it is due, may the person be a man or a woman.
Margaret Knight received her first patent at the age of thirty. Twenty-six patents were also given to her for inventing diverse items such as the window frame and sash and combustion engines. This former is a device used to cut shoe soles.
Up to the present time, Margaret's flat-bottomed paper bags machine part is still in circulation. Perhaps, this is the greatest invention of this highly-acclaimed woman in her time.