Digging Deeper Into: Pocket Protectors

Morrison here,

So I'm starting a new segment here at HRY while my brother takes an extended leave of absence. It's called Digging Deeper Into. There are a ton of objects, movements, people, things and ideas that we pass by everyday because we are too busy to stop and learn more. I mean take doorknobs for instance. There are millions of billions of doorknobs in the world. Every country you go to has doorknobs. All different shapes and sizes. And yet, have you ever seen a doorknob factory in your travels? Where the heck are they making those things? Shoot, maybe I should have researched door knobs instead. Next time.

We are talking about Pocket Protectors. Let's get started shall we.

The original pocket protector was invented by a man named Hurley Smith during World War II. He was born in Michigan in 1908 and spent his first few years there. He received his high school diploma by mail, moved to Ontario where he enrolled at Queens University earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1933. His first job was marketing the newly invented Popsicle to retailers in Ontario. He said that his diet consisted mostly of Popsicles that first summer. 1933 was not a good time to be graduating from college.

When he did finally land a job in Buffalo, New York as an electrical engineer designing electrical transformers, Smith found that his short sleeved, white shirts were becoming ruined from the pens and pencils that he used in his trade. The white shirts were a mandatory uniform at his company so he couldn't change to a darker color. He set his mind to thinking of a way to easily carry his pens and pencils.

During the World War II era, plastic was all the rage so Smith began to take small pieces and melt them together with his wife's iron. A few variations and experimentation and Smith had created the pocket protector as we know it today. After finding that others envied his invention he quickly set up shop, hired some employees and started making and marketing the little devils complete with company logos. So there you have it. A quick overview of how the pocket protector came about. What you were expecting a 12 page thesis on its evolution and social impacts. Sorry.


Pocket protectors today have become the badge of the nerd--not so much the geek, which is the older, cooler brother of the nerd (thanks Best Buy). If your looking for random distractions of all things pocket protectors, well your in luck. . Enjoy

Revenge of the Nerds. The classic 80s romp that shows us how cool keytars really are! Anthony Edwards stars--way before ER hit the scene.


These guys are not doing the pocket protector legacy any good at all.

For nerds who make too much money, a leather pocket protector.

Here is a great article on how to make your own pocket protector from one of the best DIY websites ever; Instructables

A sweet, sweet collection of 911 logo emblazoned protectors that will never let you down

And for some reason, this.


p.s. If you have something that you would like me to research for the next Digging Deeper Into, leave a comment or contact me at missoulakid@gmail.com

Morrision out.