subject: Everything You Need To Know About Paper Shredding [print this page] It is important to make sure that when you are done with documents that you don't need anymore, to not just throw them away, but shred them. Documents that usually qualify for shredding are bank statements, tax documents, credit card applications, expired passports, identification cards and bank cards. These documents usually have important information on them that, if drifted into the wrong hands, could cause major problems for you and your loved ones.
What is paper shredding though? Where did it come from and what is it all about? As irrelevant as these questions may seem, it is imperative to understand everything you can about how to keep your identity safe and secure, and paper shredding drastically helps with that. A paper shredder is explained as a mechanical device used to cut paper into fine strips. Even government organizations and businesses use paper shredders to destroy private, confidential and sensitive documents.
The first paper shredder was invented in 1909 by Abbot Augustus Low from Piercefield New York. His patent for an improved method of disposing waste paper was received on August 31, 1909, however, Low's invention was never manufactured, leaving it by the wayside. In 1935, Adolf Ehinger's version of the paper shredder, based on a hand-crank pasta maker, was manufactured in Germany. Supposedly Ehinger needed to shred his anti-Nazi literature to avoid investigations from authorities. He later posed his idea to government agencies and institutions. Ehinger's company manufactured the first cross-cut paper shredders in 1959 and still continues to do so today.
There are many different sizes and types of shredders out there to purchase. They can be small units for a few pages of shredding or large units, like corporate businesses have, for shredding a mass amount of documents quickly and efficiently. Normally, a small shredder is powered electrically but there are shredders that are unpowered such as special scissors with multiple blades or hand-cranked shredders. There are also alternative shredders that use burning or chemical decomposition for disposing of the shreds one you are done shredding your documents.
Paper shredding services are a great thing to have, as it will keep you and your identity that much more protected. It is extremely beneficial to look into purchasing a paper shredder, whether it is for your own personal use or for your company. Be smart and be safe about what you do with your excess paper.
