Binders have always been an integral component to any office, home, or educational facility. They allow for papers and other materials to be organized and kept in one place. Binders create a tidy look and presentation, also allowing possessions to be protected. Binders have been around for many years. What was once an organizational tool in the 1850′s is still an organizational tool today. Let’s take a look at the past, present, and future of binders.

Past:
In 1854, patents were filed for both the 2-ring and 3-ring binders by a man from Rhode Island named Henry T. Sisson. He realized a specific problem people were experiencing. The problem was that people had loose leaf paper but no idea how to organize or store it. So Henry began designing to come up with a solution for this problem. That is where the ring binder started. The first binder had 2 rings and then evolved to 3-rings. The first 3-ring binders were covered with heavy cardboard like binding and the metal parts were made of cold rolled steel. It was not until 1899 that binders were actually for sale. Chicago Binder and File Company was one of the first companies to do so.

Present:
Today, binders can be found everywhere. They come in many different shapes, sizes, materials, and designs to fit any need. Ring metals can be shaped in a round ring, D-ring, and angle D-ring. Binder sizes can range from as little at 1/2″ to over 3″ capacity. There are also a lot of materials that binders can be made out of. Poly, vinyl, and recycled materials are the most popular choices. Binders can also come in many different colors and patterns, and can also be customized with foil stamping and screen printing to meet specific needs and tastes.

Future:
Binders will continue to be a useful component for organization and storage. We will also see an increase in eco-friendly binders which are binders made out of recycled materials and soy based inks. This new type of binder allows for a more sustainable option for organizational needs. The trend towards customization will also be prevalent with binders as well.

What started almost 160 years ago as a way to store loose leaf paper has grown into an organizational phenomenon and continues to be a popular choice for storing papers and other materials.