All About The Paper Bag: Its History, Inventors and Types Today – Today, we use paper bags regularly for our children’s lunches, bringing groceries home, and when we carry stuff from the department store. A paper bag is a blank slate for packaging branded consumer goods, which are used by retailers. Creative trick-or-treaters turn them into Halloween masks. And, we can so easily forget that they haven’t always existed!
The paper bag fulfilled a need that the general public didn’t know they had, as is the fate of most discoveries. Before the paper bag was invented, baskets, bowls, and other forms of “storage” were the mainstay of every home and business. Accordingly, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that a convenient, disposable means of container was extraordinary. These bags could conveniently be bought by customers who possessed even modest incomes due to their low costs and ease of use, while shopkeepers could keep the stacks of their bags in stock. Here in this blog, we provide you with all about the paper bag: its history, inventors and types today.
The history behind the invention of paper bags
Bags made from canvas, jute and burlap were used to carry merchandise and various other items during British Empire time. These bags were strong and durable. Even good items have their drawbacks, and these bags were no different. Bags were much more expensive and required a larger investment of time and money to make. As the cost of bags climbed, people began to shift toward new products, one being paper bags.
The first paper bag was created in the 1800s, and it has undergone levels of improvements to come to the paper bag we use today. Francis Wolle invented a machine to create bags in the mid-18th century, allowing for mass distribution. Although the bags this machine made were essentially large glued envelopes, it would lead to the move towards using paper bags.
Subsequently, a new design for a paper bag was developed by Margaret Knight while working for the Columbia Paper Bag Company. She thought the square bottom bags would work better than Woll’s envelope bag. Robertson earlier designed and built a machine in the industrial shop that got a lot of traction in the marketplace and was able to create a venture called Eastern Paper Bag Company.
Later, a mechanical engineer, Charles Stillwell, established the design of paper bags that could be easily folded, which provided customers with a flexible way to store several products.
In 1918, two grocers, Lydia and Walter Denbener, were challenged to improve the design of paper bags. They made holes in the paper bags and added a string to act as handles. This improved the mission for people to carry groceries and additional products.
Types of Paper Bags
There are many styles and types of paper bags, and each one is used for a specific job based on the business and the things it is meant to store. Here is a full list of the different kinds of paper bags and what they can be used for.
Satchel Paper Bags
Satchel bags work well for packing larger items because the bags have gussets on the sides and a flat bottom. They’re often used for packing sandwiches, snacks, and baked foods that you take out.
Key Features:
- Flat base and side gussets deliver more room
- Generally, grease-resistant for food items
- Lightweight and comfortable to carry
Common Uses:
- Takeaway food
- Snacks and sandwiches
- Bakeries and cafes
D-Cut Paper Bags
D-cut paper bags are commonly known as “die-cut handle” bags due to their handy handle, cut out of the bag. Basically, this bag is more functional due to the “D” shaped cut out at the top. They are usually used to carry easy to carry items for example, clothing, makeup and other lightweight items at fashion and shopping stores.
Key Features:
- Sturdy with a conveniently built-in handle
- Available in diverse sizes and thicknesses
- Usually used for retail shopping
Common Uses:
- Clothing and supplement stores
- Beauty and cosmetics shops
- Gift packaging
Square Bottom Paper Bags
Square bottom paper bags have a flat bottom, allowing them to stand up, making them suitable for heavy items. These paper bags are mostly used in grocery stores, supermarkets to pack fruits, vegetables, and packaged goods.
Key Features:
- Strong, stable base
- Fit for carrying bulkier and heavier items
- Perfect for groceries and takeaway food
Common Uses:
- Grocery stores
- Food takeaway services
- Markets and delis
Flat Bags
These are simple, light paper bags, which are flat bags without gussets (side folds). They could be used to carry things that are flat or small, such as a welcome card (if it’s flat), small accessories, or documents. Generally, you will find these bags in gift shops, stationery stores, or places that serve small snack-type meals such as sandwiches.
Key Features:
- Lightweight and cost-effective
- Appropriate for packaging small or flat products
- Constantly made from kraft paper or recycled materials
Common Uses:
- Stationery and greeting cards
- Small food items like sandwiches or snacks
- Gift shops and retail stores
Paper Bags with Plastic Windows
These paper bags are equipped with a translucent plastic glass that will allow consumers to see the products inside. These bags are typically used for baked goods, snacks, or other products that require a high-visibility presentation.
Key Features:
- Translucent window for product visibility
- Naturally used in bakeries and for food shops
- Can be sealed to preserve product freshness
- Paper Bags with Plastic Windows
Common Uses:
- Bakeries and patisseries
- Snack foods
- Small items that help with display visibility
Wrapping
In the above content, we informed you of the evolution of the paper bag, the person who invented it and all of the different types in use today. We hope that you were able to recognise the value of paper bags. If you’re looking to find a reputable provider of paper bags in China, you are in the right place. Yiruixing Packaging is a reputable manufacturer of eco-friendly paper bags and has been for 14 years. They have a specialty of making very high-quality paper bags from eco-friendly materials (kraft paper, recycled paper), and you can get them customised in any way you like. Yiruixing ensures the timely manufacture and shipping of all orders in compliance with foreign standards, by utilising high-tech equipment, careful quality control and global shipping capabilities. If you require reputable service, innovative design and commitment to the environment, look no further than Yiruixing Packaging.
FAQs
What is the history of paper bags?
The idea for the shopping paper bag came about in the mid 1800s. In 1852, American inventor Francis Wolle developed the first machine for mass-producing paper bags. Wolle’s idea revolutionized the retail world and made packaging for the consumer simpler and more efficient.
How many types of paper bags are there?
Twisted handle paper bags, flat handle paper bags, string handle bags, and twill handle bags are the four most common types of shopping bags with handles.
When was the bag invented?
Men and women have utilised bags for thousands of years, according to the historical record. Bags have been commonly used since Ancient Egypt. Hieroglyphics are full of men with bags open and tied around their waists.
