WOOD 'N WIRE

This collection includes examples that are representative of the patents indicated. During the early to mid 1880s barbed wire manufacturers were extremely competitive. Whatever edge a company could gain was explored. Visibility laws were passed in most of the states. The use of wire combined with wood blocks as a warning device was a pretty simple fix. Hiram B Scutt made it to the market first with his patented wood block wire. Several other companies followed suit, and now we have interesting examples of the myriad of ideas that were considered. Wood gave way to sheet metal which turned out to be a more suitable alternative.