Believe it or not, there was a time when briefcases did not exist. Satchels were the common modus operandi in the 14th century and served as a sort of precursor to the modern business man’s best friend. Satchels were used much like briefcases and computer cases are today to make light work of transporting money and valuables. People of that era referred to their satchels as “budget,” a word derived from the Latin bulga. Naturally, you recognize the word budget from contemporary vernacular, the term derived from the financial use of such early bags.

Paris of the early 1800’s saw men add an iron hinge to the satchel; this new look inspired more common usage among men, who were now using them to carry important documents as well as money. Such modes of transport were known as satchels or bags and used mainly to store money until the early 20th century, when wallets became the preferred accessory for carrying money.

This new trend saw many a satchel fall into disuse; they were utilized less as more men found that they preferred the economy and size of the popular new wallet. For the most part, only men who were required to carry around important papers each day or those taking long road trips continued to use satchels on a regular basis.

Around this time it became necessary for those men of means to differentiate themselves from the transients and vagrants who carried similar bags. A businessman of distinction, who carried his satchel to protect its important contents, did not want to be confused with the man of no means who carried all of his possessions with him in one trundle. It was the barristers, solicitors or attorneys who were most in need of a distinction, these men were required to carry around a number of documents with them at all times.

In the very early part of the 20th century, barristers and men of the court utilized carpet or cloth satchels to house their important papers. The briefcase as we know it did not come about until approximately 20 years later, when in the 1920s a flat, hard case was introduced to the world. This new look differed greatly from the bags that vagrants were known to carry, and quickly became fashionable among attorneys and men of the court.

The 1950’s it was not just lawyers carrying these new bags just about every white collar businessman owned a briefcase in which they packed their documents, magazines and lunches. By now the bag had become something of a status symbol, one that indicated a man had an office job.

Interestingly, in the 21st century we have seen something of a regression in trends. Now, softer satchels are popular once again even if hard shell cases are still often seen. Softer leather cases may have been made popular by the women who have entered the work force in droves since the 1950’s. Today’s cases tend to be of the unisex variety, appealing to both the men and women present in the modern office.

Author Bio: Penny Lane recently purchased several computer cases on the internet to give to her employees. She ordered a couple of briefcases on the internet to give as college graduation gifts.

Category: Business
Keywords: computer cases,briefcases