Tech History Made on January 18, 1813

On this day in 1813 Joseph Glidden was born. Glidden patented barb wire in 1874 against much grumblings that he had not invented it. He won the battle and history marks him as the inventor. Glidden made the barb wire by milling metal in a coffee mill and then placing the barbs on a wire. Then he would secure the whole thing by wrapping another wire around it. When he passed away Glidden was a one of the richest men in America. Simple ideas really can take you places.