Etymology of "Manila Folders"?

[CookingWithGas]

My kids thought I was saying "vanilla" folders because of their color :) which actually makes a lot more sense anyway. Where they invented in the Phillipines? :confused:

[Earl Snake-Hips Tucker]

How about "Manila" or ("manilla") paper:

http://www.answers.com/topic/manila-paper

[Terminus Est]

Manila folders were made out of Manila paper, which is made out of Manila hemp (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_hemp). Manila hemp is made out of fibers from the abacá (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abac%C3%A1) plant, native to the Philippines.

[Anne Neville]

I remember thinking they were "vanilla folders" when I was a kid, too...