About barbed wire

What barbed wire is

Barbed wire is steel fence wire with sharp points, called barbs, fixed at intervals along it. The barbs discourage animals and people from crossing or pushing against the fence, so it is used for livestock enclosures, field boundaries and property security.

A short history

• In the United States, Lucien B. Smith patented a form of barbed wire fence in 1867, and Michael Kelly patented a "thorny fence" in 1868.
• Joseph Glidden patented his widely copied design in 1874, which helped make barbed wire common on farmland.
• It was used extensively as a military obstacle in the First World War.

Main types

• Twisted double-strand wire: two line wires twisted together, holding barbs in place. The most common form for fences.
• Single-strand wire: one line wire with barbs wrapped on, sometimes used where a lighter line is wanted.
• Razor wire: a coiled ribbon or wire with blade-like points, used for higher security.

Coatings

Steel wire rusts, so barbed wire is normally protected with a zinc (galvanised) coating, a zinc-aluminium coating or a plastic coating. The coating strongly affects how long the fence lasts.