A Short History Of Insect Screens

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As we write this, it is the peak of summer, and the weather in the UK is splendid. We enjoy this time of year at Appeal Home Shading, but there is one aspect that can be somewhat annoying: insects. Although we've had our share of uninvited wasps appearing at barbecues, we've managed to keep them out of our homes and offices thanks to our range of insect screens.

These simple inventions are hugely popular in America, where they are found in homes across the country, especially in warmer states. In recent years, they have begun to gain traction here as well, benefiting many waterfront areas. We have a few amateur historians on our team who decided to investigate the history of fly screens. Here's what they discovered.

The Origins Of Insect Screens

For centuries, humans have employed various methods to keep pests out of their homes. However, the first true insect screens emerged in America during the 19th century. Enterprising businessmen developed the idea of using wire to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes, and the earliest known advertisements for these screens appeared in The American Farmer, a farming journal from Baltimore.

The concept took time to catch on, and insect screens remained obscure niche products for several decades. This changed with the onset of the American Civil War. A Connecticut-based sieve company, Gilbert And Bennett, faced challenges selling to Southern states but found salvation when an employee proposed an idea. They utilized surplus sieve wire, painted it to prevent rusting, and marketed it as window screens. These early screens were merely rolls of wire cloth that homeowners had to nail to their doors and windows, yet they sold remarkably well.

The Idea Develops

As expected, more companies capitalized on this idea, leading to advancements in fly screens from their basic origins. In 1867, a firm named Bayley And McCluskey filed a patent for railroad car screens to protect passenger trains from cinders and ashes. While these were not explicitly designed to keep out insects, they showcased the practicality of screens and solidified their presence in public awareness.

Painted window screens and frames soon emerged, alongside the first fly screens for doors. In October 1871, E.T. Burrowes & Co advertised their installation of screens for notable figures like Thomas Edison, P.T. Barnum, and General Philip Sheridan, a renowned Civil War veteran. Insect screens transitioned from novelty items sold by traveling salesmen to established home improvement features across the United States.

Originally, insect screens for windows and doors were distinctly American, but they have now started to spread worldwide. They have evolved significantly since their inception and have even been credited with helping reduce the spread of diseases such as typhoid and yellow fever.

If this brief historical overview has ignited your interest in installing insect screens, you’re in the right place. You can explore more about our range of mesh fly screens by downloading a free brochure or booking a design consultation. Get in touch today, and let’s work together to keep mosquitoes out of your home this summer.

In the late 19th century, as manufacturing advanced, the materials and designs of screen windows began to change significantly.

Wire mesh started to replace fabric due to its superior durability and breathability, leading to widespread popularity.

This period is considered a key stage in the development of screen windows, marking a significant technological breakthrough.

By the early 20th century, screen windows became particularly favored in the Southern United States, where the climate made insect protection essential. Many households and businesses began to install metal screens on windows to tackle the summer insect issue.

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