The days of getting important documents in the mail instead of by email may be waning, but there’s still plenty of mileage left in the Manila envelope. The oversized, heavy-duty enclosures can send and store everything from contracts to insurance policies to secret documents. So why are they called “Manila” envelopes? In the 1830s, American stationery companies were experiencing supply shortages. Cotton and linen rags —which were used to produce paper pulp — were growing scarce. To keep production up, paper manufacturers turned to the Manila rope typically found on ships. In contrast to cotton and linen, Manila rope was derived from Manila hemp — an extremely strong and durable material sourced from Manila — hence it being named after the country’s capital. Unlike the products of today, early Manila paper was much heavier and more like cardboard than paper. One sheet could be folded in half to make a simple folder, and because it was water-resistant, the folder was ideal for transporting important documents. Manila was phased out of most paper manufacturing, but the durability of Manila products caused companies to continue using unbleached, yellowish paper to make large envelopes. They also kept their “Manila” designation, despite no longer featuring the plant fiber.
Why Is It Called a “Manila” Envelope?
The days of getting important documents in the mail instead of by email may be waning, but there’s still plenty of mileage left in the Manila envelope. The oversized, heavy-duty enclosures can send and store everything from contracts to insurance policies to secret documents. So why are they called “Manila” envelopes? In the 1830s, American stationery companies were experiencing supply shortages. Cotton and linen rags —which were used to produce paper pulp — were growing scarce. To keep production up, paper manufacturers turned to the Manila rope typically found on ships. In contrast to cotton and linen, Manila rope was derived from Manila hemp — an extremely strong and durable material sourced from Manila — hence it being named after the country’s capital. Unlike the products of today, early Manila paper was much heavier and more like cardboard than paper. One sheet could be folded in half to make a simple folder, and because it was water-resistant, the folder was ideal for transporting important documents. Manila was phased out of most paper manufacturing, but the durability of Manila products caused companies to continue using unbleached, yellowish paper to make large envelopes. They also kept their “Manila” designation, despite no longer featuring the plant fiber.