The official depository of the papers of the texas barbed wire collectors association is the panhandleplains historical museum in canyon. Barbed wire is an easytoread history of the role of fencing in the settlement of the. But barbed wire threatened the livelihood of the cattlemen who depended on unfenced grasslands, and a clash of cultures was inevitable. Barbed wire the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and culture. The most important and most timeconsuming part of a barbed wire fence is constructing the corner post and the bracing assembly. Both native americans and cattlemen depended on the wide open range, but homesteaders needed a way to protect their crops. Richard spencer, a new mexican rancher, tells the story of barbed wire from the cowboys perspective, as well as displays an old cowboy trick to fixing fence. The first practical barbed wire invention came from michael kelly of new york in 1868. Trew estimates they have some 7,000 artifacts, including cowboy hats made out of barbed wire, exhibits on the history of entanglement wire what trew calls war wire, and. The book covers the history of the development of barbed wire and the. With that warning out of the way, let us add one more note.
Barbed wire s history has mostly been about control, possession and separation but there is one instance where barbed wire was used not to separate us, but to connect us. A cultural history of barbed wire reaktion books, 2002. Barbed wire, telegraphs, treaties and railroad rails jf ptak science books post 1539 im about to start a series on this blog on a great constituent part of the concerns here of two other series. It has me wanting to look into other books on the subject. Several patents for fencing wire were issued from 1853 to 1867, only one had projecting points. Extendanarm barbed wire barbwire arm extensions for chain link fence set of 9 8. The barbed wire swap and sell is one of many conventions held across the united states for barbed wire collectors. The fence that changed the west 8015373320 local phone 1888utahmap toll free. Surveying its development from 1874 to 1954, netz describes its use to control cattle during the colonization of the american west and to control people in nazi concentration camps and the russian gulag. In this engaging history, the struggles of cattlemen, farmers, indians, inventors, and outlaws are brought to life for history buffs and curious readers alike. Fence stretcher indiana other collectible tools for sale.
A cultural history of barbed wire by alan krell 222pp, reaktion books. Starting from the bottom, fasten one strand of barbed wire at a time to the anchor post at the appropriate height. Barbed wire, also known as barb wire, occasionally corrupted as bobbed wire or bob wire, is a. Jan 02, 2020 for wire fences especially, all wire comes in rolls so you will need to build a contraption that allows the spool of wire to freely spin when you pull it along and unroll a strand of wire along the fence line, all without you having to hold the very heavy new spool most new spools of barbed wire weigh around 70 pounds 31. Barbed wire consists of one or more strands of metal wire implanted with sharpened metal spikes, or barbs, at regular intervals. The invention of barb wire was the most important event in the solution of the fence problem. For wire fences especially, all wire comes in rolls so you will need to build a contraption that allows the spool of wire to freely spin when you pull it along and unroll a strand of wire along the fence line, all without you having to hold the very heavy new spool most new spools of barbed wire weigh around 70 pounds 31. Joseph glidden applies for a patent on his barbed wire. The wire that fenced the west is a book written by henry d. Engineering 12 mining and minerals 43 uranium and vanadium 9 coal resources 49 fossil energy 2 coal and coalbed methane 49. Smooth wire fencing was in general use when the first practical barbed wire appeared in 1868, created in new york by michael kelly. From the legal battles over barbed wire patents to the brutal fencing wars that erupted on the frontier and the ultimate end of. Feel free to fill out one of our comment sheets at the end of the exhibit and add your own reflections about the cultural meaning and history of barbed wirefrom agriculture to oppression.
Life in the american west was reshaped by a series of patents for a simple tool that helped ranchers tame the land. Some farmers were using early homemade variations of barbed wire fencing in the mid1800s. Even with closely spaced posts, the wire had a tendency to snap. How to build a livestock fence with pictures wikihow. New listing american single line antique cast iron barbed wire fence stretcher repair tool. If youre into barbed wire, devils rope is a must stop on your rusty pilgrimage. At this juncture came barb wire, which was at once. If you think the techniques of building a barbed wire fence are downright obviousyou know, the why, any fool can do that type of. He was surrounded by barbed wire and soldiers with guns.
Chain link fence grade barbed wire must have a class 3 coating on the line wires and the barbs. But even though barbed wire is still widely used today, that doesnt mean that it is, or has ever been well liked by most cowboys. However, joseph gliddens later design became the most successful barbed wire of his. He loved eating tacos and playing baseball after school with his friends.
In this book, alan krell investigates the place barbed wire holds in the social. I dont read many books what was ahead held no fears for me. Oct 15, 2009 we dont even think of barbed wire today as any big deal, so it was very interesting to read about a time and place in our countrys history where barbed wire issues were a dominant factor in daily life i. Purpose to inform interested individuals about the many aspects of barbed wire and related items including but not limited to barbed wire canes, books, fencing tools, fence poststops, liniment bottlestins, ornamental wire, paper items, planter wire, postage stamps depicting barbed wire, salesman. The main focus of the convention is the sale and trade of barbed wire samples, however, other items may also be showcased including carved limestone yard posts, railroad memorabilia, antiques, and craft items. Stretchers and strainers wire and fence tools 1975 by conrad e.
Mccallum and published in 1965 by the university of oklahoma press. The new fencing changed the west from vast and undefined prairiesplains to a land of farming, and widespread settlement. Patent office for his clever new design for a fencing wire with sharp barbs, an invention. Barbed wires history has mostly been about control, possession and separation but there is one instance where barbed wire was used not to separate us, but to connect us. Especially impressive is its generous sampling and subtle analysis of barbed wire within culture studies, as a complex site of enclosure, pain, and resilience. Anyone interested in western us history would find this book informative. This is a history book of just how it was that a simple product made of steel. This fascinating history is vitally important to the stories of business, agriculture, advertising, and expansion in the us past. The fence that changed the west by liu, joanne s isbn.
Fence stretcher indiana other collectible tools for sale ebay. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Companies promoting barbed wire fencing used imagery in their. Smoothwire fencing was in general use when the first practical barbed wire appeared in 1868, created in new york by michael kelly. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Brief history of barbed wire devils rope museum history. Barbed wire is an easytoread history of the role of fencing in the settlement of the american west. Skilled fence fixers enjoy much more success than amateurs, but the work is basically unpleasant for anyone. Although the classic barbed wire fence is still commonly used on farms, it is slowly being replaced by more advanced products such as woven wire fences similar to chicken wire, with crossing horizontal and vertical wires and electric. Barbed wire history and varieties small farmers journal. How to build a barbed wire fence mother earth news.
The history of barbed wire is not a welldocumented story, but we do know that farming and ranching was forever changed with the invention of this fencing solution. In this original and controversial book, historian and philosopher reviel netz explores the development of a controlling and paininducing technologybarbed wire. Krell dwells on kitcheners remorseless use of barbed wire in the south african war kitchener used it to pen in and cut off the boers but it was on the western front and the eastern front too. Brief history of barbed wire several patents for fencing wire were issued from 1853 to 1867, only one had projecting points. Barbed wire, still an essential tool in the livestock industry, is today a popular collectors item.
Barbed wire was particularly thick and heavy, and grew weightier when it rained. Mar 01, 2017 the history of barbed wire is not a welldocumented story, but we do know that farming and ranching was forever changed with the invention of this fencing solution. The fence that changed the west, examines the tumultuous history of a simple twist of wire that shaped the settlement of the american frontier and led to the end of the open range. Another issue a critic had was the lack of talk between barbed wire fences and the railroad industry. Theoretically sophisticated but written with a broad readership in mind, barbed wire calls for nothing less than a reconsideration of modernity. Barbed wire fencing requires only fence posts, wire, and fixing devices such as staples. Trew estimates they have some 7,000 artifacts, including cowboy hats made out of barbed wire, exhibits on the history of entanglement wire what trew calls war wire, and probably 100 or so posthole diggers. Barbed wire became the relatively inexpensive solution in an area where lumber and stone were scarce.
The question of providing fencing material had become serious, even in the timbered portions of the country, while the great prairie region was almost wholly without resource, save the slow and expensive process of hedging. The fence that changed the west reveals the surprisingly critical role the invention of barbed wire played in the settling of america. Late in 1876, so the story goes, a young man named john warne gates built a wirefence pen in the middle of san antonio, texas. He rounded up some of the toughest and wildest longhorns in all of. Vintage primitive style barb wire fence stretcher, country farm. Barbed wire proved to be cheaper, easier, and quicker to use than any of these other alternatives. Crow on a barbed wire fence is a book that i wouldnt have chosen to pick up myself, but i am so glad i was talked into it. Joseph glidden applies for a patent on his barbed wire design. Barbed wire, fence wire usually consisting of two longitudinal wires twisted together to form cable and having wire barbs wound around either or both of the cable wires at regular intervals. From the legal battles over barbed wire patents to the brutal fencing wars that erupted on the frontier and the ultimate end of the open range, author joanne liu tells the fascinating story of how a simple twist of wire transformed a country s landscape and ushered in a new way. Barbed wire is a good option for those who do not want to spend a lot of money.
Elevenyearold william bill hiroshi shishima was in prison. In 1863 by michael kelly developed a type of fence with points affixed to twisted strands of wire. A political history may fall short of a complete and thorough exegesis on all things wiry and barbed. Prior to 1863, several individuals created forms of fencing that could be considered as barbed wire. An illustrated guide to identification of fence stretchers and other wire and fence tools 720 illustrations 66 pages paperback 5. In a style that will capture the interest of adult and teen readers, barbed wire. High tensile barbed wire can be installed up to 30 with stays.
Barbed wire the handbook of texas online texas state. A political history by oliver razac translated by jonathan kneight 148pp, profile. Keeping property safe is one of the primary concerns that all homeowners have when choosing. Barbed wire as we know it today, came from the mind of joseph f. Purpose to inform interested individuals about the many aspects of barbed wire and related items including but not limited to barbed wire canes, books, fencing tools, fence poststops, liniment bottlestins, ornamental wire, paper items, planter wire, postage stamps depicting barbed wire, salesman samples, staples. Barbed wire, also known as barb wire, occasionally corrupted as bobbed wire or bob wire, is a type of steel fencing wire constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals along the strands. But these texts are also treasure chests of historical and cultural insight. It is used to construct inexpensive fences and is used atop walls surrounding secured property. Promoted as the ideal fence, barbed wires menacing qualities were soon manifest.
The epithet, the devils rope, anticipated its transformation into a. Strange, this, for i was a timid boy, afraid of spiders, afraid of the dark, afraid of bullies, afraid of the unseen and the unknown. Promoted as the ideal fence, barbed wires menacing qualities were soon made manifest. Just three months earlier, bill had been a normal kid. A political history olivier razac, jonathan kneight on. The wire simultaneously contributed to the end of the long cattle drives and indian raids. The varieties of barbed wire are numerous, with cables being single or double, round, halfround, or flat and having a range of gauges. None of these creations ever reached the mass market. A barbed wire fence is under tremendous tension, often up to half a ton, and so the corner posts sole function is to resist the tension of the fence spans connected to it. Barbed wire telephone lines brought isolated homesteaders. Michael kelly invented the first barbed wire fencing the first wire fences before the invention of the barb consisted of only one strand of wire, which was constantly broken by the weight of cattle pressing against it. The invention and mass production of barbed wire made it possible for homesteaders to fence off millions of acres, creating a violent clash of cultures. In this engaging history, the struggles of cattlemen, farmers, indians, inventors, and outlaws are.
Outside intervention, both nefarious and otherwise. History the global publication for the barbed wire collecting hobby since 1983. Before barbed wire, the lack of effective fencing limited farming and ranching practices, and the number of people who could settle in an area. Drawing together the history of humans and animals, netz delivers a compelling new perspective on the issues of colonialism, capitalism, warfare, globalization, violence, and suffering. The devils rope and barbed wire books the guardian.
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