When was the paper shredder invented?

The first paper shredder was invented by Abbot Augustus Low in 1909. Low, who was also the inventor of the typewriter ribbon, was inspired to invent the device after he witnessed the destruction of sensitive documents during a divorce trial. He designed the shredder to be a hand-crank operated machine that could reduce documents into thin strips, making them difficult to reassemble. Low patented his invention in 1914, and it quickly became popular in government agencies and businesses for the secure disposal of sensitive documents. Over time, paper shredders have evolved and improved, with the introduction of electric and automatic shredders that can destroy large volumes of documents efficiently. Today, paper shredders are widely used in offices, homes, and industries for the purpose of protecting confidential information and ensuring data security.