Bostitch
Encyclopedia
Stanley Bostitch, previously and more commonly known as simply Bostitch, is an American
company that specializes in the design and manufacture of fastening tools—such as stapler
s, staple guns
, nailers
, riveters, and glue guns—and fasteners—such as nails, screw
s, and staples
. Its product range covers home, office, construction, and industrial use. The company developed a number of improvements to what would become the modern desk stapler.
in 1896 by Thomas Briggs as the Boston Wire Stitcher Company. Briggs had invented a machine that stitched books from a coil of wire. The company began manufacturing various other kinds of staplers for industrial use.
It largely focused on commercial stitching machines. However, in 1914, the company introduced its first "portable stapling machine," the Model AO, considered an ancestor of the modern desk stapler. In 1922, the company introduced the first stapler to use modern-style cohered strip staples, the Bostitch No. 1. This was a revolutionary design because it was inexpensive and reliable. During World War II
the company joined five other firms to form the New England Small Arms
Corporation for manufacture of M1918 Browning Automatic Rifles.
In 1948, the company officially changed its name to Bostitch, a portmanteau of "Boston" and "stitch." In 1957, the company moved to its current location in East Greenwich, Rhode Island
. In 1966, Textron
purchased the company, and in 1986, Stanley Works
acquired the company from Textron.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
company that specializes in the design and manufacture of fastening tools—such as stapler
Stapler
A stapler is a mechanical device that joins sheets of paper or similar material by driving a thin metal staple through the sheets and folding the ends. Staplers are widely used in government, business, offices, and schools....
s, staple guns
Staple gun
A staple gun or powered stapler is a hand-held machine used to drive heavy metal staples into wood, plastic, or masonry. Staple guns are used for many different applications and to affix a variety of materials, including insulation, house wrap, roofing, wiring, carpeting, upholstery, and hobby and...
, nailers
Nail gun
A nail gun, nailgun or nailer is a type of tool used to drive nails into wood or some other kind of material. It is usually driven by electromagnetism, compressed air , highly flammable gases such as butane or propane, or, for powder-actuated tools, a small explosive charge...
, riveters, and glue guns—and fasteners—such as nails, screw
Screw
A screw, or bolt, is a type of fastener characterized by a helical ridge, known as an external thread or just thread, wrapped around a cylinder. Some screw threads are designed to mate with a complementary thread, known as an internal thread, often in the form of a nut or an object that has the...
s, and staples
Staple (fastener)
A staple is a type of two-pronged fastener, usually metal, used for joining or binding materials together. Large staples might be used with a hammer or staple gun for masonry, roofing, corrugated boxes and other heavy-duty uses...
. Its product range covers home, office, construction, and industrial use. The company developed a number of improvements to what would become the modern desk stapler.
History
Bostitch was founded in Arlington, MassachusettsArlington, Massachusetts
Arlington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, six miles northwest of Boston. The population was 42,844 at the 2010 census.-History:...
in 1896 by Thomas Briggs as the Boston Wire Stitcher Company. Briggs had invented a machine that stitched books from a coil of wire. The company began manufacturing various other kinds of staplers for industrial use.
It largely focused on commercial stitching machines. However, in 1914, the company introduced its first "portable stapling machine," the Model AO, considered an ancestor of the modern desk stapler. In 1922, the company introduced the first stapler to use modern-style cohered strip staples, the Bostitch No. 1. This was a revolutionary design because it was inexpensive and reliable. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the company joined five other firms to form the New England Small Arms
New England Small Arms
New England Small Arms Corporation was a consortium of small manufacturers who coordinated their facilities for production of M1918 Browning Automatic Rifles during World War II. The company was an unusual variation of United States conversion of small manufacturing plants from civilian goods to...
Corporation for manufacture of M1918 Browning Automatic Rifles.
In 1948, the company officially changed its name to Bostitch, a portmanteau of "Boston" and "stitch." In 1957, the company moved to its current location in East Greenwich, Rhode Island
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
East Greenwich is a town in and the county seat of Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 13,146 at the 2010 census. East Greenwich is the wealthiest municipality within the state of Rhode Island....
. In 1966, Textron
Textron
Textron is a conglomerate that includes Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Greenlee, among others. It was founded by Royal Little in 1923 as the Special Yarns Company, and is headquartered at the Textron Tower in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.With total revenues of...
purchased the company, and in 1986, Stanley Works
Stanley Works
Stanley Black & Decker , formerly known as The Stanley Works, is a manufacturer of tools and hardware and provider of security products and locks headquartered in New Britain, Connecticut...
acquired the company from Textron.