# invention/patten of seam ripper **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 24, 2006, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention-patten-of-seam-ripper/373955 "2006-09-24T17:04:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![past\_history](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@past\_history](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/past_history)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2006, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention-patten-of-seam-ripper/373955/1 "2006-09-24T17:04:35Z")
I frequently do interpretive demonstrations in a variety of parks and museums. For years I have been trying to find out WHEN the typical seam ripper of today’s sewers came into common useage. So far, no one has been able to help. I’ve asked every “expert” I can think of to ask with no luck. Does anyone know when the seam ripper was invented? Ever grateful, Past History ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2006, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention-patten-of-seam-ripper/373955/2 "2006-09-24T21:23:39Z")
This question won’t get much attention in this forum. Best to e-mail one of the moderators in General Questions and have them move it over there. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2006, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention-patten-of-seam-ripper/373955/3 "2006-09-24T21:41:39Z")
[QUOTE=Colibri] This question won’t get much attention in this forum. Best to e-mail one of the moderators in General Questions and have them move it over there. [/QUOTE] I sent a message to the mods with the very same idea a while back. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2006, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention-patten-of-seam-ripper/373955/4 "2006-09-24T22:39:33Z")
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Board, **past history**. Your question was originally placed in our **ATMB** forum (About This Message Board); it’ll stand a better chance of being answered in our **General Questions** forum, so I moved it there for ya’. No biggie; you’ll know next time. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention-patten-of-seam-ripper/373955/5 "2006-09-25T02:06:33Z")
1865 looks to be too early. [Patent # 48,662](http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=00048662&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526d%3DPALL%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526s1%3D0048662.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2F0048662%2526RS%3DPN%2F0048662&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page) from that year describes a manual seam ripper, but it’s a triangular spatula shaped thingy with a blade rising from one face. On the other hand, this [1973 patent](http://patimg1.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=D0225701&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect2%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%2525%25252FPTO%2525%25252Fsearch-bool.html%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526d%3DPALL%2526S1%3DD225701.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2FD225701%2526RS%3DPN%2FD225701&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page) shows a ‘ornamental design’ for a seam ripper that looks a lot like the ones you buy at Jo-Ann Fabrics. That patent references the E. Faber Company catalog from **1901** ; page 12, top item. I looked at several referenced patents between 1865 and 1925, and none seem to show a modern design. The original may not have been patented, or I may have missed seeing it. Those old image files can play havoc with web browsers. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invention-patten-of-seam-ripper/373955/6 "2006-09-25T02:13:40Z")
[QUOTE=past history] I frequently do interpretive demonstrations in a variety of parks and museums. For years I have been trying to find out WHEN the typical seam ripper of today’s sewers came into common useage. Does anyone know when the seam ripper was invented? Ever grateful, Past History [/QUOTE] [**Longago, The Orient**](http://www.longago.com/accessoriesladies.html) 😉 Best I could come up with.