The Humble Paper Bag

In the 20th Century, the simplest and quickest form of packaging for the American was the paper bag.  The paper bag, however, didn't come into the market ready made until the 1800s.  In fact, peddlers went throughout the countryside selling paper bags to grocers in the beginning.

In 1852, a primitive paper bag making machine was operating in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  By 1860, Charles Hill Morgan had designed a machine for making bags which could be used commercially in the factory process.  By the 1870s Americans were in the business of selling bag-making machines.  Paper had become literally a rags to riches story!

Luther Childs Crowell, son of a New England Sear captain, went from inventing fly machines that never flew, to designing a superior machine to make paper bags - patented in 1867.  Crowell came up with the square bottom paper bag still used today. 

Volume sales needed quick wrapping, and wrapping with paper sheets took time - too much time.  Soon after the Civil War, New York merchants like Macy and Lord and Taylor, started imprinting their brand on the paper bag.  In 1889, David Ames Wells, invented a device for folding papers on a power press, increasing American retailers efficiency, especially grocers. 

American factories were turning out millions of paper bags  which had become the standard equipment for the American retailer...the humble paper bag.

Next time...Box it Up!
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Today in Pioneer History: "On February 20, 1962, John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth in the Friendship 7 spacecraft.  With 100,000 people watching at Cape Canaveral at 9:47 am, the capsule entered Earth's orbit at a speed of about 17,500 mph.