Barbed Wire
Thomas Froreich
The primary author is the individual who drafted the first version of this
section; a section that could have been modified since it was originally
published.
When/Why It Was Made
The solution for fencing in the west came in 1874 with Joseph
F. Glidden's perfected version of barbed wire. Before Glidden's
invention the West was looking for a new type of fence, the
timber supply was low and was too expensive to get imported
to the treeless Plains. All the types of fences tried failed, from
live plants, hedges, mud, and even smooth wire, none of these
proving satisfactory.
Uses on Farms
Barbed wire was used as for fencing in livestock on farms in the
West, and really farms everywhere after word got out about its effectiveness. Barbed wire was far
cheaper and easier to supply in the West than timber or stones and actually seemed to be just as if not
even more effective than timber or stones.
Uses in War
After it was introduced barbed wire was used in almost every war, from the Spanish American War to
the Russo-Japanese War. Barbed wire was used to fortify soldier's positions and as means of setting up a
perimeter. Barbed Wire is most commonly seen in No Man's Land, most of the barbed wire belts being a
little over knee-high to trip up and other soldiers stuck, these lines of barbed wire could extend up to
300 feet into No Man's Land.
Fences it Replaced
Barbed wire replaced many different fences, from live plant fences, such as osage orange, to stone. The
major fence barbed wire replaced was the timber fence. Timber supply was diminishing in the East and
was far too expensive to get out to the West.
Reprinted from College History
http://collegehistory.info/nineteenth/manuscripts/10-barbed-wire.html
Last updated on 24 May 2015
Photo Caption: Joseph F. Glidden's 1874 patent drawing for improved barbed wire.
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Ranchers vs Farmers
When barbed wire was brought to the west farmers started throwing it up all over their land, or what
they felt was their land, this didn't go over so well with ranchers who were letting their cattle graze on
some of that land that is now fenced off. This led to what we call range wars. There were many wars
between the ranchers and farmers, the Pleasant Valley War is a famous range war that took place
between two feuding families the Grahams and Tewksburys, in Gila County, Arizona.
Works Consulted
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Reprinted from College History
http://collegehistory.info/nineteenth/manuscripts/10-barbed-wire.html
Last updated on 24 May 2015
Photo Caption: Joseph F. Glidden's 1874 patent drawing for improved barbed wire.
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Reprinted from College History
http://collegehistory.info/nineteenth/manuscripts/10-barbed-wire.html
Last updated on 24 May 2015
Photo Caption: Joseph F. Glidden's 1874 patent drawing for improved barbed wire.
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