History

The guillotine paper cutter, also known as the paper shear, has its roots in the early 19th century. The invention is attributed to French engineer Guillaume Massiquot, who patented the device in 1844. Massiquot’s design, inspired by the earlier guillotine used for beheading, utilized a sharp blade mounted on a lever arm to cut paper with precision and ease. The design quickly gained popularity due to its efficiency and the growing demand for precise paper cutting in offices, print shops, and bookbinding industries.

Usage

The vintage guillotine paper cutter was a staple in offices and printing shops throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Its primary function was to cut large stacks of paper to a uniform size, essential for producing books, brochures, and other printed materials. The cutter typically featured a wooden or metal base with a built-in ruler for measuring paper, a clamping mechanism to hold the paper stack in place, and a long, levered blade that could be pulled down to slice through the paper.