Handcuffs – a brief history

In history, the handcuffing related to the need of securing captives or imprisoned persons. The first metal handcuffs of the type still used today were manufactured at the same time when the first law and order policing units were put together. At first, they were determined for imprisoned criminals in transport, later even for arresting actions. At first, they were very primitive, heavy and not compact aids. The recent design was developed roughly at the beginning of the last century.

At the beginning of the 1990s, the Police in US got clearly inspired by a commonly used aid – the fastening strips manufactured of plastic materials. Until then, this had been a device used for the fixing of various items (for example, tomatoes to the holding stick). The principle is clear – the strip can be tied up by pulling the strip on one side, but even big strength cannot loosen it then… This principle has been consequently adjusted for new purposes – the temporary handcuffing of people. The new strips got a new and more resistant shaped profile, instead of the flat one, and the inside “lock” has been supplemented with a metal draw lamella for the better fixing after the tie up. The so-called “Flex Cuffs” have been designed like that. This practical Police disposable device was then more and more often implemented within the security sector. The first extensive use took place in Los Angeles in 1992 during huge racial unrest. The alternative handcuffs proved successful in situations, in which there was a regular war raging in American streets and the numbers of detainees reached thousands. Thanks to their low weight and the possibility to carry several tens of the devices, they have attracted also the attention of the US Army, especially when special antiterrorist operations were considered. This interesting novelty has become quite popular and wide spread around the world during the following years.

Textile Handcuffs – a modern aid for security units

A Police car patrol comes fast to the place of action. Unpleasant sound of the Police car brakes is heard. A group of young men, who have just ransacked one of the shops, runs away to all directions under blue light of flashing beacons. The running couple of Policemen react fast: “In the name of the law, stop!” The delinquents, who threw away the stolen items in panic, stop only after the sound of a warning shot. “Get down! Put your hands aside and do not move”. Motionless silhouettes lie now around on the ground. “Back me up,” says one of the law enforcing officers and puts his weapon back into the holder and pulls out metal handcuffs. The handcuffs click on hands of the first offender. The glimmery handcuffs of his colleague click of wrests of the second criminal shortly after that. But, what should they do next? There are still three other persons that are not yet restrained persons and no more handcuffs are left… (read more)

Found on YouTube

Textile handcuffs in the far away exotic India ...

... and Mexico.