A History of Fencing

The following little pamphlet (published in 1896) demonstrates that fence manufacturers and advertisers, contrary to expectation, do indeed have a sense of humor and a strictly historical world view.

[images courtesy of the Ellwood House, DeKalb, Illinois]

Barbed Wire in DeKalb

A couple of images collected in the Ellwood House, courtesy of a very helpful director: Brian Reis.

1. Barbed wire is dangerous, or it doesn't work. And thus the liniments for man and beast.

2. The "Little Giant" wire stretcher can fetch even a mule, declares a Sambo character in the colorful and racist ad.

3. And a very early touting of the wire as armour: you don't get into this ball field without paying for a ticket!

(click on the photos for larger versions)