Patents
Louise Austin of Whatcom, Washington, received United States patent number U.S. Patent 489,406 on January 3, 1893, for "Pinking scissors." The patent describes how "pinking scissors" are superior to the existing tools at the time, "pinking irons" and "pinking cutters." The operation of the shears are described as "pinking" or "scalloping." There are references to "cut ornamental openings in the body portion of fabrics," but no references to the more utilitarian function of preventing fraying. One of the primary early uses of pinking shears was the formation of decorative edging for patchwork quilting squares.
Benjamin Luscalzo, of Chicago, Illinois, received United States patent number U.S. Patent 2,600,036 on June 10, 1952, for his improvements to "pinking scissors" otherwise called "Pinking Shears". He provided an adjustable tension means connected to one of the blades or jaws of the shears which kept the teeth in efficient cutting relationship so that the cutting plane is always perpendicular to the pivotal axis. In other words, Benjamin Luscalzo brought traditional Scissors and the pinking blade together to create what we know today as "Pinking Shears"
Samuel Briskman, of Brooklyn, invented pinking shears in 1931 and received patents for them in 1934. He formed the Pinking Shears Corporation and set up a factory at 102 Prince Street in Manhattan. His firm milled the teeth into the blades. Wiss made the actual shears and had the exclusive sales in the USA and through their agents abroad. Briskman was also entitled to sell abroad under the name of Pinking Shears Corp. through his agents. He had one son, Artie, who worked with him. Sales fell off after a change in the type of fabric that was popular. Briskman died in February 1967, and was known as an inventor and philanthropist at that time. Norman Wiss, Sr. was the one who pushed for and who managed the agreement with Briskman.
Method of Making Pinking Shears (Model A) U.S. Patent 1,959,190, Filed March 17, 1932; Issued May 15, 1934
Pinking Shears (Model A) U.S. Patent 1,965,443, Filed March 17, 1932; Issued July 3, 1934
Pinking Shears (Model C) U.S. Patent 1,970,408, Filed September 19, 1931; Issued August 14, 1934
The Perfect Pinker U.S. Patent 2,174,222 Metropolitan Cutting Co. Crane Brand, A Florian Product
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