The History of Paper Sacks, 100 Jahre Papiersackmaschinen und Papiersäcke published 1988, in what I imagine is a limited edition.
It celebrates the work of Hermann Hölscher 1842-1913, inventor of the first triangle bag machine and Gustav Fischer 1850-1939, inventor of the first machine for cement sacks. Both went on to form companies which continued to develop machines paper bag production for various markets. The book is obviously a labour of love for the author, Rolf Sander. ‘This book does not pretend to be perfect – it is a forerunner of an extensive work about paper bag technology.’ At 100 pages, it is quite enough for me.
![The History of Paper Sacks](https://dewfall-hawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Paper-Sacks-cover1-300x284-300x284.jpg)
It has the text in German, English and French on the left hand side and illustrations of the machines on the right hand side. I have learned about the weak points of a sack and was pleased to hear that in 1912 a Bristol company, Strachan & Henshaw, helped to develop a machine for the production of ‘pasted open mouth bags (cross bottom). This type has the characteristic of a good bottom standing.’
![](https://dewfall-hawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Sewn-Valve-Sack-1908-lo-res-178x300.jpg)
This made the closure of sacks quick, and the filling dust-free. He went on to found companies in Europe and by 1929, nearly 1,800 valve sack filing machines had been sold around the world.
Did I call this book dull?
Some strangely interesting snippets of information and bags of odd facts – pun intended!