The History of Barbed Wire Fences

If I asked you to think of a fence right now, there is a good chance the fence you are picturing in your head is a barbed wire fence. This iconic style of fencing is used throughout America for security, containment and safety purposes, and has many industrial, commercial and military applications. What you might not know is the controversial history of the barbed wire fence in America. The fencing experts at Challenger Fence Inc, the industry leading fence company in North NJ, have done their homework in order to bring you a short history of the barbed wire fence.

As America was being settled, ranching and cattle herding became an important part of success on the prairie. The environment was not conducive to wood, making costly picket and wood fence installations impractical for the landscape. To get around this obstacle, an innovator named Michael Kelly twisted strands of wire together – strengthening the barrier against the strong force exerted by the cows as they foraged – and the painful spikes of wire where the cables were joined would remind the cows not to press against the fence.

After this change, an inventor named Joseph Glidden designed an improved fence and constructed the machinery to mass product barbed wire fences for farmers. This fence became a fixture of the landscape in the American West during the late 1800s and early 1900s, and soon military experts realized the benefits that barbed wire fencing could have on keeping enemies out.

Fencing has come a long way since stone, wood and barbed wire were exclusively used, but there is no undermining the uses of a quality fence. If you are looking for a fence installation, Challenger Fence has the skill and expertise to help.

Challenger Fence

53 Kentucky Avenue, Paterson NJ 07503

973-772-2593