Vintage decorative rawplugs tin, very decorative and a great display piece. Some age related wear.
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14 cm square
3 cm tall
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The history of the Rawlplugs began in 1910 when John Joseph Rawlings invented the first wall plug for the British Museum to fix electrical fittings without damaging the walls. His initial invention was a brass strap, but it was soon replaced with a fibrous plug. The company Rawlings Brothers, which he founded with his brother, was renamed Rawlplug Ltd. in 1919 after he patented the design. The company went on to develop other iconic products, and the brand name "Rawlplug" became so popular that it's now often used generically for any wall plug.
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The invention of the first wall plug
1910: The company Rawlings Brothers was hired to install electrical fittings at the British Museum.
The problem: They needed a way to securely attach fixtures to the walls without causing damage, which was a significant challenge at the time.
The solution: John Joseph Rawlings created the first wall plug, a press-formed brass strap that expanded when a screw was inserted.
The breakthrough: The team realized that a fibrous material like jute was more effective due to its resilience and durability, leading to the first "Rawlplug" made of fibrous material.
Patent and renaming: The invention was patented shortly after, and in 1919, the company officially changed its name to Rawlplug Ltd..
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Evolution of the company and products
Early 20th Century: Rawlplug became widely known through large-scale advertising campaigns and its products were used internationally.
1930s: The company invented the Rawlbolt, the first mechanical expansion anchor.
1960s: Rawlplug began manufacturing modern plastic wall plugs to replace the original fibre ones.
Ongoing innovation: The company has continued to expand its range of products and is now a global supplier of a wide variety of fastening solutions and power tools.