When Did Cabinet Makers Begin Using Metal Hinges?

The Early Days of Cabinetmaking

Prior to the use of metal hinges, most cabinets and boxes were constructed using wood joinery and fastenings. Dovetail joints, mortise and tenon joins, and wood pegs were common methods of holding wooden components together.

These all-wooden constructions did not lend themselves well to hinges. Early cabinets and boxes were thus made without hinges. They used sliding drawers and openings instead of doors.

The Advent of Metal Hinges

Metal hinges slowly started being incorporated into cabinetry in the 1600s. Iron and steel hinges allowed for the introduction of doors and movable components in cabinet construction.

At first, these early metal hinges were hand-forged. Each hinge had to be individually hammered into shape by a blacksmith. This made them expensive and hard to produce in large numbers.

Mass Production in the 18th Century

It was not until the mid-1700s that metal cabinet hinges began being mass-produced. The Industrial Revolution brought about mechanization and standardized manufacturing.

Instead of individual blacksmithing, hinges could now be efficiently stamped out in metalworking shops. This caused the price of metal cabinet hinges to drop significantly.

Their adoption became widespread by cabinet makers in the 1750s and 1760s. This period saw metal hinges become the norm for attaching doors and lids to wooden furniture.

Why Metal Hinges Were Game Changers

The shift to metal hinges revolutionized cabinetry in several key ways:

• Movability – Hinged doors moved much more smoothly than slid-open panels. This improved access and convenience.
• Protection – Closed cabinet doors helped keep contents free of dust and damage.
• Security – Locks could be integrated with metal hinges, allowing cabinets to be secured.
• Aesthetics – Symmetrical cabinet facades with centered doors became possible. This improved furniture styling.

Regional Differences in Adoption Rates

The take up of metal hinges varied across different regions:

• England – Cabinet makers in London and other urban furniture making hubs were early adopters as early as the 1660s.
• France – Parisian cabinet makers started incorporating metal hinges in the 1740s and 1750s.
• Colonial America – Rural cabinet makers were slower to adopt. Hinged cabinets only became common in the 1780s and 1790s.
• Germany – Craftsmen in small towns took till the late 1700s to switch from wood joinery to metal hinges.

So in summary, while metal hinges emerged in the 1600s, they did not displace older wood joinery until mass production made them affordable in the mid-to-late 1700s. Their adoption spread across Europe and America over the following decades.

Common Early Hinge Types

Some specific hinges that first emerged included:

• HL Hinges – Simple strap hinges with two leaves joined by a rod. Also called H-L hinges.
• Tee Hinges – Shaped like the letter T. Allowed doors to open past 90 degrees.
• Butterfly Hinges – Allowed for variable door positioning. Evolved into modern butterfly hinges.
• Chest Hinges – Used on jewelry chests and small personal cabinets.
• Box Hinges – Tiny hinges for small boxes, cash boxes, and caskets.

Evolution in Hinge Design

Even after metal cabinet hinges were in widespread use, their design continued evolving:

• 1780s – Recessed hinges become popular. These were set into the door and cabinet frame.
• Early 1800s – Self-closing hinges emerge. The hinge mechanism closes the door automatically.
• Mid 1800s – Concealed “invisible” hinges are developed. These hide away the mechanical workings.
• 1920s – Spring loaded hinges are patented, allowing self-closing doors.

This progression made hinges increasingly functional and aesthetically integrated. The basic materials remained iron, steel, and brass till modern alloys emerged later.

When Did Cabinet Makers Begin Using Metal Hinges?

To summarize the key timeline:

• 1600s – Hand-forged metal hinges emerge as experimental curiosities in Europe. Not widely adopted yet.
• 1740s-1750s – Metal hinges gain traction after mass production reduces costs.
• 1760s-1770s – Metal hinges widely used by cabinet makers in urban centers.
• 1780s-1790s – Adoption spreads to provincial cabinet makers in rural areas.

So while invented in the 1600s, metal hinges only replaced wood joinery across the board starting in the mid-to-late 1700s thanks to industrialization. This crucial evolution radically changed furniture design for centuries to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was used before metal hinges in cabinets?

Before metal hinges, cabinet makers relied on wooden joinery like dovetail joints and wood pegs to construct cabinets. Early cabinets did not have hinged doors or lids. Drawers and sliding panels were used instead.

Why did metal hinges take so long to become popular?

The initial high cost and labor involved in hand-forging individual metal hinges made them impractical for widespread use. It took the efficiencies of mass production in the 1700s before they became affordable.

How did the availability of metal hinges impact cabinet design?

Metal hinges enabled cabinets with convenient doors, locking mechanisms, interior shelving, and symmetrical facades. This led to an explosion of creativity in cabinetry design in the late 1700s.

What were some typical early metal hinge types?

Early metal cabinet hinges included HL hinges, tee hinges, butterfly hinges and small chest hinges. Recessed hinges came later in the 1700s. Concealed hinges followed in the 1800s.

When did cabinetmakers fully adopt metal hinges?

Though invented in the 1600s, metal hinges only fully displaced wooden joinery in the 1760s-1790s once industrialization made production efficient and cost-effective.

Conclusion

The evolution of cabinet hinges from wood to metal was a gradual process spanning several centuries. While metal hinges emerged in 17th century Europe, they only gained widespread cabinetmaker adoption in the mid-to-late 18th century. This pivotal transition enabled magnificent creativity in cabinet designs going into the 1800s. Metal hinges also made cabinets more convenient, secure, and visually striking. Their implementation was one of the most impactful innovations in the history of woodworking.