How a Technology That Helped Settle the West Became Known as the “Devil’s Rope”

5/27/2015

This article discusses the history and significance of barbed wire. It explores how barbed wire revolutionized the American landscape in the late 19th century, transforming open range lands into fenced properties. The article delves into the invention of barbed wire by Joseph Glidden and the role it played in the settling of the American West. It also examines the impact of barbed wire on farming, ranching, and the conflicts that arose over land ownership. The author highlights the social, economic, and political implications of this seemingly simple invention, demonstrating how barbed wire transformed the American frontier and shaped the country's history.

social impact ꞏ material culture ꞏ land ownership ꞏ agricultural revolution ꞏ military history ꞏ military architecture ꞏ western frontiers ꞏ frontier settlements ꞏ fencing technology ꞏ territorial marking ꞏ border security ꞏ wire manufacturing ꞏ cultural heritage ꞏ territorial disputes ꞏ border control ꞏ technological advancement ꞏ barriers ꞏ rural development ꞏ history of barbed wire ꞏ american history ꞏ ranching ꞏ technological progress ꞏ engineering ꞏ security systems ꞏ invention ꞏ agriculture ꞏ physical boundaries ꞏ visual symbolism ꞏ material history ꞏ design ꞏ land management ꞏ landscape transformation ꞏ cultural history ꞏ human ingenuity ꞏ historical development ꞏ perimeter security ꞏ military strategy ꞏ industrial revolution ꞏ innovation ꞏ territorial expansion ꞏ cultural significance ꞏ farm equipment ꞏ warfare ꞏ historical context ꞏ agricultural machinery ꞏ construction materials ꞏ conflict zones ꞏ cultural identity ꞏ historical artifacts