At the beginning of the 20th century, Joseph Glidden obtained several patents for his invention, which would later be universally recognized as barbed wire. Among his developments was double-strand barbed wire. Initially, barbed wire was used solely for fencing cattle. Early barbed-wire constructions consisted of vertically placed posts with several parallel rows of barbed wire stretched horizontally. Wooden planks were sometimes added between the posts for reinforcement. Due to a shortage of timber for protective and containment structures, Americans were forced to create an alternative – barbed wire. Later, around the time of World War I, barbed wire began to be used for constructing military security barriers.
When discussing double-strand barbed wire, it is important to highlight the specifics of its construction. Its core consists of two steel wires twisted together. Barbs are formed by threading small pieces of the same type of steel wire – but of smaller diameter – onto the core. At the points where the barbs are wound, the core wire undergoes special processing, such as serration, to prevent the barbs from shifting. As with other types of barbed wire, double-strand wire can be galvanized for increased durability.
