Author: Emily at Paper Mart

TL;DR: The paper bag has evolved from a simple storage solution into an indispensable everyday item with a fascinating history. paper bag facts: The first paper bag machine was invented in 1852 by Francis Wolle, though it resembled an envelope rather than today’s grocery bag. The modern paper bag invented its iconic square-bottom design thanks to Margaret Knight in the 1870s, followed by Charles Stillwell’s addition of pleated sides for easier storage, and the Deubeners’ reinforced string handles in 1918 that enabled paper bags to carry up to 20 pounds. The function of a paper bag extends beyond simple carrying—it’s a cost-effective, disposable, customizable container that revolutionized retail and replaced expensive jute and canvas sacks. how paper bags are made: Most paper bags are crafted from Kraft paper, which is manufactured by exposing wood chips to intense heat to create pulp, then screening, washing, and bleaching it into the strong brown paper we recognize today. Today’s paper bags come in numerous styles including S.O.S. bags, Euro totes, bakery bags, and merchandise bags, with many made from 40-100% recycled materials.