| | The origin of scissors is not certain, but it seems that they date at least as far back as 1500 B.C., when the ancient Egyptians used scissor-like devices. These where constructed from a single piece of metal (usually [[bronze]]). Two separate blades where made on each end, and a thin strip a metal attached them in the middle. The device is finished by arranging both blades near each other, with a thin metal strip acting as a spring to push them apart a small distance.<ref name="inventors.about.com"/><ref name="enchantedlearning.com">http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/italy.shtml</ref><br /> | | The origin of scissors is not certain, but it seems that they date at least as far back as 1500 B.C., when the ancient Egyptians used scissor-like devices. These where constructed from a single piece of metal (usually [[bronze]]). Two separate blades where made on each end, and a thin strip a metal attached them in the middle. The device is finished by arranging both blades near each other, with a thin metal strip acting as a spring to push them apart a small distance.<ref name="inventors.about.com"/><ref name="enchantedlearning.com">http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/italy.shtml</ref><br /> |
| | There are gaps in history after this point, but in 100 A.D., the [[Roman Empire]] is known to have adapted the design such that there were two separate blades (scissors) which pivoted in the middle.<ref name="inventors.about.com"/><ref name="enchantedlearning.com"/><br /> | | There are gaps in history after this point, but in 100 A.D., the [[Roman Empire]] is known to have adapted the design such that there were two separate blades (scissors) which pivoted in the middle.<ref name="inventors.about.com"/><ref name="enchantedlearning.com"/><br /> |
| − | In the 18<sup>th</sup> century, Robert Hinchliffe, of Sheffield, England, was responsible for changing scissors into the object used today. In 1761, he began mass-producing scissors using steel, rather than the iron, brass, bronze, and other simpler alloys which had been used until then.<ref name="inventors.about.com">http://inventors.about.com/od/famousinventions/fl/Who-Invented-Scissors.htm</ref> | + | In the 18<sup>th</sup> century, Robert Hinchliffe, of Sheffield, England, was responsible for changing scissors into the object used today. In 1761, he began mass-producing scissors using steel, rather than the iron, brass, bronze, and other simpler alloys which had been used until then.<ref name="inventors.about.com"/> |