Paper shredders gained popularity after the Watergate scandal in the 1970s. They protect personal and financial information from identity theft. Shredders come in three types and three cutting methods, with ultra-security being the safest. Adolf Ehinger’s version of the paper shredder, modeled after a pasta machine, became popular in 1936. His company, EBA Maschinenfabrik, introduced the cross-cut shredder in 1959. Protecting sensitive information is crucial, and using a paper shredder is a good way to do so.
Many people never heard of a paper shredder (also called a paper shredder) until the infamous Watergate scandal during the early 1970s. Today, most people recognize the value of shredding personal and financial documents.
A trash toss by an unscrupulous individual can reveal highly sensitive information, such as bank account numbers, balances, name and address, medical records with possible Social Security numbers, and receipts of all kinds. Armed with this information, an internet-savvy bandit can potentially access your bank account, open new lines of credit, and do far more damage. This is called identity theft, and it’s a growing problem that costs taxpayers billions of dollars a year.
Due to the threat of highly sensitive information falling into the wrong hands, a paper shredder has become as common as a coffee pot on the kitchen counter or a computer in the workplace. The small space the shredder takes up is a small price to pay to protect your personal information.
Shredders come in three basic types: personal, for home use; departmental, for use by small businesses or organizations; and corporate, which meets the needs of large companies.
A shredder is also equipped with one of three different cutting methods. The style of the cutting mechanism depends on the required security. The least secure cut is single cut, which slices documents into long, thin vertical strips. These strips can be reassembled with a little diligence.
The crosscut model is safer; this shredding system cuts the paper into small confetti-like squares by cutting both lengthwise and crosswise. Normally this type of shredder also shreds paper clips, staples and credit cards. Reassembly of the shredded material is possible, but unlikely. This is a good mid-range shredder.
Safest of all is the ultra-security cut, which provides a cross-cutting action that cuts paper into tiny, unreadable fragments. This type of shredder is an excellent choice for medical and financial institutions, government and other entities with highly sensitive documents.
Inventor AA Low is credited with designing the first paper shredder in 1908; but it wasn’t until Adolf Ehinger arrived in 1936 with his own version that the device caught on. Modeled after a pasta machine, Ehinger marketed his device to government agencies and financial institutions, and his company became a leading manufacturer of paper shredders. His company, EBA Maschinenfabrik, was the first to introduce the cross-cut shredder in 1959 and continued to thrive until the company was sold in 1998.
Allegedly, it was an EBA shredder used to shred documents during the Watergate scandal. While Ehinger didn’t invent the shredder, his improvement over the original has had a huge impact on the way we’ve handled paper ever since. Whether it’s for personal or business purposes, it’s a good idea to protect your sensitive information and protect yourself from identity theft by using a paper shredder.
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