When Was Chicken Wire Invented? A Brief History of This Handy Material

Chicken wire, that hexagonal patterned wire mesh, is a ubiquitous sight around farms, gardens, and homes. But who invented this versatile material? Here’s a brief look at the origins and early history of chicken wire

The Invention of Chicken Wire

The inventor of chicken wire was Charles Barnard an ironmonger from Norwich England. In 1844, Barnard developed a machine to weave thin steel wires into a flexible mesh material with hexagonal holes.

Barnard came up with the idea at the request of his father, who was a farmer looking for a better way to contain his chickens. Inspired by the cloth weaving looms common in Norwich at the time, Barnard created a method to automate the production of wire netting.

He dubbed his invention “chicken wire” since its intended purpose was building enclosures and fences for poultry. The hexagonal pattern provided strength while still allowing the wire to be rolled up for transport and storage.

Early Uses and Manufacturing

Chicken wire quickly became popular with farmers for building protective barriers and cages for small livestock like rabbits and chickens. The material was inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to work with compared to wood or metal fencing.

Barnard established the Barnard, Bishop & Barnard company to manufacture chicken wire and other wire netting products. The business grew rapidly as demand increased both in Britain and abroad.

Early versions of chicken wire had larger hole sizes closer to 2 inches across. Over time, manufacturing improvements allowed smaller mesh holes around 1 inch wide to become standard.

While invented for farm use, creative individuals soon found other applications for chicken wire. It was handy for building sculptures, baskets, planters, or dividing spaces. The industrialization of chicken wire production in the late 1800s made it widely accessible.

Development of Reinforced Glass

In the 1890s, chicken wire was incorporated into a new material: reinforced glass. Glass manufacturers sandwiched steel wire mesh between two layers of molten glass.

Passing the glass-wire composite between heavy rollers fused the wire and glass together. Once cooled, the result was a strengthened glass resistant to shattering.

Architects used wire glass for skylights and glass roofs to improve safety. The wire netting contained any breakage. Wire glass also provided fire resistance since the mesh prevented glass fragments from falling away.

Developments like polished wire glass and UV blocking wire glass further expanded the possibilities of reinforced glass in the early 1900s. The chicken wire gave the glass strength while remaining mostly invisible.

Surge in Popularity

By the early 20th century, mass production made chicken wire extremely inexpensive. Its usefulness for fencing and protective barriers led to widespread use on farms, in gardens, and around homes.

New products like poultry netting offered smaller mesh wire optimized for containing chickens and other birds. Galvanization of the wire also improved corrosion resistance.

Innovations in metalworking gradually reduced the thickness of chicken wire from early versions nearly 1/16 inch thick to modern versions as thin as 28 gauge. However, even modern light wire retains the strength of the interwoven hexagonal mesh.

Creative uses also continued to grow, taking advantage of chicken wire’s pliability and open mesh pattern. It became popular for sporting nets, concrete reinforcement, craft projects, and industrial applications.

Still Handy Today

Now over 175 years since its original invention, chicken wire remains a ubiquitous sight. The versatility and affordability of chicken wire ensures it is still frequently found in homes, gardens, farms, and workshops.

It may not seem glamorous, but humble chicken wire has proven to be one of the handiest materials around. We have Charles Barnard’s simple but clever idea to thank for the many ways chicken wire aids us even today.

While invented to contain chickens, modern chicken wire is used more often for fencing pets, protecting plants, and in craft projects. However, it still frequently ends up in chicken coops and runs where Barnard first intended it.

So next time you encounter chicken wire holding up a tomato vine or creating an intriguing art piece, think of Barnard and the 19th century farmers who were the first to put this woven wire to work.

People often wrap their cars in chicken wire to deter animals, particularly rodents like porcupines, marmots, and rats, from chewing on vehicle parts like wiring, hoses, and tires.