Summary for galvanized barbed wire history Discussion
Galvanizing history is discussed here mainly through questions about old barbed wire and whether a fence might be historically significant. One answer from James Watts says that if the fence is not a registered historical landmark, it can be removed, though the neighbor may object. Ken Vlach advises comparing the wire to photos of historical and modern examples, noting that antique barbed wire came in many styles while modern galvanized wire is more uniform and often lacks drips. He also points to the University of Houston history of barbed wire, which says Michael Kelly filed a workable patent in 1868 and production began in 1876, with De Kalb later becoming a major producer. Larry Greer disputes that account and says Lucien Smith of Kent, Ohio invented the first barbed fence wire in the U.S. in 1867. For galvanized razor wire, Imtiyaz Khan is told to consult standards bodies and specifications such as ASTM A121 and related federal documents.
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Q. I’m trying to locate information on the history on the earliest development of the galvanizing industry. I have found one reference that said the process was first described to the French Academy in 1742, but I’m in the dark as to subsequent history.
Can anyone help, or point me to a web site? Thanks.
John White
Avalon Forge – Baltimore, Maryland, USA
2001
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A. You can contact Tom Langill at the American Galvanizers Association – technical@galvanizeit.org
Robert C. Martin
galvanizing shop – Baltimore, Maryland
According to my grandmother my great great grandfather invented galvanising. However he was Welsh so took a lump sum for it rather than royalties. I think she may have been having a laugh, what do you think?
Phil Price
– Northants, UK
2002
A. Hi Phil. The general concept of immersing an object into a pot of melted something else probably precedes recorded history, and the first time steel was immersed in molten zinc was probably never officially recorded, so it’s tough to say who ‘invented’ galvanizing. The closest we can probably come is who applied for patents on related inventions. The referenced article may help with that.
It is very believable that your great great grandfather made a significant contribution to the art, which he may or may not have patented, and he certainly may have been paid a lump sum for the rights to it.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
Barbed wire history. When was galvanized barbed wire available in USA?
Q. When was factory made galvanized barbed wire available in the western United States? A galvanized barbed wire fence crosses my property and I would like to remove it for better access to my property. My neighbor claims the fence is 100 years old and is trying to prevent me from removing it because of historical value. I believe the fence was constructed in approximately 1964, not 100 years ago.
Kim Heaton
– Corrales, New Mexico, USA
2003
A. If it is not a registered historical landmark you can tear it down, regardless of its age or your neighbors desire. He/she will hate you forever tho, if that matters. If he/she likes it so well, tell him that he can have it. All that they have to do is remove it soon.
James Watts
– Navarre, Florida
2003
A. Do an Internet search for History of barbed wire. There are museums on the subject, with photos of different styles.
From the University of Houston:
The antique barbed wires in on-line photos appeared galvanized to my eyes. As to your fence, compare it to photos of historical wire as well as modern wire. The old wire came in many styles, while modern wire seems all rather similar. The galvanize thickness on modern wire is also more uniform, without drips, etc.
Ken Vlach [deceased]
– Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
2003
A. If you haven’t gotten your questions answered about barbed wire, you may want to check with the New Mexico Barbed Wire Collectors Assn. You can get to them by doing a search on Google with the for mentioned key words. I am a member of 7 active state antique wire collectors clubs and am on the board of directors of the Devils Rope Museum in McLean, Texas. Hope this helped.
D. Wright
– Aledo, Texas
2003
A. A PREVIOUS ANSWER TO QUESTION REGARDING THE FIRST INVENTOR OF BARBED WIRE WAS MICHAEL KELLY OF DEKALB, ILLINOIS. BOTH ARE INCORRECT. KELLY WAS FROM NEW YORK. LUCIEN SMITH OF KENT,OHIO INVENTED THE FIRST BARBED FENCE WIRE IN THE UNITED STATES IN 1867, PATENT NO. 66,182.
LG, MEMBER OF (ABWS) ANTIQUE BARBED WIRE SOCIETY
LARRY GREER
– SAINT PETERS, Missouri
2007
Galvanized razor wire
Q. Hello Sir
I am seeking your help to get the answers of the following queries related with hot dipped galvanised razor wire.
1). What is the minimum thickness in micron for razor wire blade.
2). What is the minimum thickness in microns for steel wire used in razor wire.
thanks Imtiyaz
Imtiyaz Khan
– Karachi Pakistan
February 17, 2015
A. Hi cousin. I think you would need to start with some standards-writing body if you want the material to comply to some minimum standard.
See, for example, CID A-A-997 “BARBED WIRE (GALVANIZED)”, CID A-A-55522A “BARBED TAPE, CONCERTINA”, FED RR-F-221/3A “FENCE POSTS AND ACCESSORIES (DETAIL SPECIFICATION)” or ASTM A121 -13, “Standard Specification for Metallic-Coated Carbon Steel Barbed Wire”. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
History of galvanized nails
Q. Hello:
I should like to know if anyone has any idea as to when nails were first galvanized and used. This is for a research paper I am doing for engineering.
Thank you.
Cheryl Rowat
Student – Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
2005
Q. Just wondering if any one was able to shed any light on the history of Galvanized Nails? I am very interested in learning more about when they came into production/use.
Roy Ingraffia
– Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA