Side Filing Cabinets
The vertical filing cabinet (vertical file cabinet in the United States) more or less as in use today was invented by Edwin G. Seibels in 1898. He invented a vertical filing system in 1898 that revolutionized
record-keeping. Previously, businesses kept papers in envelopes in turn
stored in arrays of pigeonholes often lining a wall. Finding and opening
envelopes and unfolding papers was troublesome and inefficient. Seibels
reasoned that folding was not necessary; papers could be kept in large
envelopes standing on end vertically in a drawer.
The Globe–Wernicke Company of Cincinnati made him five wooden filing
boxes, and he applied for a patent; Seibels was told an idea was
unpatentable; only a device could be patented. "It was pointed out that
by simply varying the size, a filing box could be made which would not
infringe my patent. Unfortunately, I overlooked the part played in
setting the envelopes upright, and separating them by guide cards. This
device, of course, could have been patented."
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