Barbed wire, also known as barb wire, is a type of steel fencing wire constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals along the strands.
The first patents on barbed wire were taken out in the United States in 1867, but it was not until 1874, when Joseph Glidden of De Kalb, Ill., invented a practical machine for its manufacture, that the innovation became widespread.
Barbed wire’s biggest use hasn’t changed, the primary goal was to fence in cattle. It’s a lot more diverse now, Specifically, people aren’t just fencing in cows, but horses, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, and even exotic animals like bison, elk, or deer. This has forced a big shift over the last 50 to 75 years, stimulating new innovations in an old industry.
Is it ever appropriate?
It is used in agricultural fencing (see Wikipedia:Barbed wire #Agricultural fencing) agriculture. What alternative methods or technologies can be used to avoid needing to use this?
It is sometimes used in fencing in urban environments, to prevent trespassing, especially where there are no building and safety standards to prohibit this, and where crime rates are perceived to be high. "Soft technologies" can reduce the need for this, e.g. mixed use development and design of pathways and entrances so they are always visible from the windows of residences and from areas of high foot traffic.
