Bostitch
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1896 |
| Founder | Thomas Briggs |
| Headquarters | East Greenwich, Rhode Island |
| Products | Fastening tools |
| Parent | Stanley Black & Decker |
| Website | www.bostitch.com |
Stanley Bostitch, previously and more commonly known as simply Bostitch, is an American company that specializes in the design and manufacture of fastening tools—such as staplers, staple guns, nailers, riveters, and glue guns—and fasteners—such as nails, screws, and staples. Its product range covers home, office, construction, and industrial use.[1] The company developed a number of improvements to what would become the modern desk stapler. It is a subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker.
In 2013, Stanley Black & Decker began selling tradesman's power tools and mechanic's hand tools and pneumatic tools under the Bostitch brand at Wal-Mart stores and online distributors.[2][3]
History
Bostitch was founded in Arlington, Massachusetts in 1896 by Thomas Briggs as the Boston Wire Stitcher Company. Briggs had invented a machine that stitched books from a coil of wire. The company began manufacturing various other kinds of staplers for industrial use.[4]
It largely focused on commercial stitching machines. However, in 1914, the company introduced its first "portable stapling machine," the Model AO,[5] considered an ancestor of the modern desk stapler.[6] In 1922, the company introduced the first stapler to use modern-style cohered strip staples, the Bostitch No. 1.[7] This was a revolutionary design because it was inexpensive and reliable.[8] During World War II the company joined five other firms to form the New England Small Arms Corporation for manufacture of M1918 Browning Automatic Rifles.[9]
In 1948, the company officially changed its name to Bostitch, a portmanteau of "Boston" and "stitch." In 1957, the company moved to its current location in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. In 1966, Textron purchased the company,[10] and in 1986, Stanley Works acquired the company from Textron.[11]
References
- ^ Stanley Bostitch. "About Bostitch". Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ Deutsch, Stuart (2013-08-22). "Coming Soon: Bostitch Power Tools". ToolGuyd. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
- ^ Deutsch, Stuart (2013-08-28). "Coming Soon: Bostitch Mechanics & Automotive Air Tools". ToolGuyd. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
- ^ Stanley Bostitch. "History". Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ US 1119093
- ^ Wohleber, Curt (Summer 2002). "The Stapler". American Heritage. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ US 1506073
- ^ "Bostitch Staplers". The Antique Stapler Collector's Web Site. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ Canfield, Bruce N. American Rifleman (March 2008) pp.35-36
- ^ Brogan, Jan (1985-08-30). "Textron plans to sell Bostitch, 2 other units in debt-cutting move". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ "Textron has agreed to sell its Bostitch division". Los Angeles Times. 1986-01-28. Retrieved 2010-01-25.