IVIV barbed wire p 24 a.k.a. "the Devil's Rope"

[Doug Millison]

Interesting how BB collects an object that marked one of the grand  
conflicts of the West, open range vs fences -- something about that  
open country down South in GR, too, isn't there? somewhere in those  
passages re Argentina?   This "Devil's Rope" appellation, an  
interesting coincidence, too.

Wonder if they use any of that Bobwire over on Rancho Peligroso?  (GR  
magic page number 69)

Is IV the first time Pynchon mentions barbed wire in his books?   
Wishing for a full-text search tool.

I didn't realize that so much (less than 50 % according to this web  
site) barbed wire was NOT manufactured commercially, a regular cottage  
industry (forget the hashed metaphor).  Something in there, maybe,  
about avoiding mass manufacturing, those assembly lines that lead to  
the Holocaust in Pynchon's novels.

What a surprise to find a complex legal battle over the patent rights ;)

Here's some background from the first site that comes up after  
googling "collecting barbed wire":

http://www.barbwiremuseum.com/barbedwirehistory.htm

THE INVENTION OF BARBED WIRE
Joseph F. Glidden of Dekalb, Illinois attended a county fair where he  
observed a demonstration of a wooden rail with sharp nails protruding  
along its sides, hanging inside a smooth wire fence. This inspired him  
to invent and patent a successful barbed wire in the form we recognize  
today. Glidden fashioned barbs on an improvised coffee bean grinder,  
placed them at intervals along a smooth wire, and twisted another wire  
around the first to hold the barbs in a fixed position.

THE BARBED WIRE BOOM
The advent of Glidden's successful invention set off a creative frenzy  
that eventually produced over 570 barbed wire patents. It also set the  
stage for a three-year legal battle over the rights to these patents.

ACCEPTING THE DEVIL'S ROPE
When livestock encountered barbed wire for the first time, it was  
usually a painful experience. The injuries provided sufficient reason  
for the public to protest its use. Religious groups called it "the  
work of the devil," or "The Devil's Rope" and demanded removal.
Free range grazers became alarmed the economical new barrier would  
mean the end of their livelihood. Trail Drivers were concerned their  
herds would be blocked from the Kansas markets by settler fences.  
Barbed wire fence development stalled.

THE FENCE CUTTER WARS
With landowners building fences to protect crops and livestock, and  
those opposed fighting to keep their independence, violence occurred  
requiring laws to be passed making wire cutting a felony. After many  
deaths, and uncountable financial losses, the Fence Cutter Wars ended.

NEED AND PROMOTION TRIUMPH OVER OPPOSITION
A demonstration in the Military Plaza in San Antonio by John "Bet a  
Million" Gates, proved beyond a doubt barbed wire was durable and  
successful in controlling livestock. With his expertise in  
salesmanship, he eventually became the largest stockholder in American  
Steel & Wire Company and a legend in barbed wire history.

THE LAST STRAW
The last opposition fell when the large ranches in Texas began fencing  
their boundaries and cross fencing within. Among the first to fence  
were The Frying Pan Ranch, The XIT, and the JA Ranch, all located in  
the Texas Panhandle.



http://www.barbwiremuseum.com/bwidentification.htm

"HOOKED ON BARBED WIRE"
Since you are still with us, we assume you are "hooked on barbed  
wire," as we say in the hobby. Read on to learn some of the  
fascinating facts and unique history of  The Devil's Rope.

BARBED WIRE FACTS

There are over 570 patented wires to search for in acquiring a  
collection.

Over 2,000 variations of these patented wires have been found and  
cataloged to date.

Less than 50% of the patented wires were manufactured commercially  
because of difficulty in producing the wire with automated machinery,  
or other excessive costs in manufacturing.

Less than 10% of all patented wires proved to be practical in actual  
use.

Those wires not produced in quantity, become rare and sought after by  
collectors.

In the final analysis, the Glidden patent #157,124 issued in 1874, and  
the Baker patent #273,2l9 issued in 1883, were the most practical and  
successful.

COLLECTING BARBED WIRE
Usually barbed wire specimens are collected in 18" lengths to show the  
spacing between the barbs. Due to space limitations, some collectors  
acquire specimens in 4" to 6" lengths to show the barb design only.  
Most collections are mounted on display boards with patent information  
shown in neat labels as well as occasional comments about the wire.

THE MYSTIQUE OF BARBED WIRE IDENTIFICATION
Some confusion may occur in wire identification for several reasons.

Early day patent office procedures allowed wire patents to be filed in  
several different categories making the patent information and design  
detail difficult to find.

Raw stock smooth wire purchased from the steel mills often varied in  
uniformity both in size and shape because of die wear and wire content  
ingredients.

Wires made by blacksmiths, small co-op groups, and non-licensed  
manufacturers were often intentionally made slightly different in  
design to circumvent patent infringement.

When the crude automated manufacturing equipment of the time began to  
wear, odd marked barbs and line wire appeared. Machinery malfunction  
created odd varieties of original design.