Scissors

Scissorsare hand-operated shearing tools. They consist of a pair ofmetalblades

pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide against each other when the handles
(bows) opposite to the pivot are closed. Scissors are used for cutting various thin
materials, such aspaper,cardboard,metal foil,cloth,rope, andwire. A large variety
of scissors and shears exist for specialized purposes.Hair-cutting shearsand
kitchen shearsare functionally equivalent to scissors, but the larger implements tend
to be calledshears. Hair-cutting shears have a specific blade angle ideal for cutting
hair. Using the incorrect scissors to cut hair will result in increased damage or split
ends, or both, by breaking the hair. Kitchen shears, also known as kitchen scissors,
are for cutting and trimming foods such as meats.
Modern scissors are often designedergonomicallywith compositethermoplasticand
rubberhandleswhich enable the user to exert either a power grip or a precision grip.

Terminology
The noun "scissors" is treated as aplural noun, and therefore takes
a plural verb ("these scissors are"). Alternatively, it is also referred
to as "a pair of scissors". In American English, "a pair" is singular
and therefore takes a singular verb ("this pair of scissors is"). In
other forms of English, "a pair" does not take the singular (so
simply "these scissors are"). The wordshearsis used to describe
similar instruments that are larger in size and for heavier cutting.
Opinions vary geographically as to the size at which 'scissors'
become 'shears', but this is often at between six to eight inches
(about 15 to 20 cm) in length.

History
It is most likely that scissors were invented around 1500 BC inancient Egypt.
The earliest known scissors appeared inMesopotamia3,000 to 4,000 years
ago. These were of the 'spring scissor' type comprising twobronzeblades
connected at the handles by a thin, flexible strip of curved bronze which
served to hold the blades in alignment, to allow them to be squeezed together,
and to pull them apart when released.
Spring scissors continued to be used in Europe until the 16th century.
However, pivoted scissors of bronze oriron, in which the blades were pivoted
at a point between the tips and the handles, the direct ancestor of modern
scissors, were invented by theRomansaround AD100.

 They entered common use not only in ancient Rome, but

also inChina,Japan, andKorea, and the idea is still used
in almost all modern scissors.
It is often reported that Leonardo da Vinci invented
scissors. But the archaeological and historical evidence
seems to contradict that claim. Usually no evidence, such
as a drawing of scissors by da Vinci, is offered to support
the claim, which is an example of an "unreal fact", similar
to an urban myth.

Early manufacture
During theMiddle AgesandRenaissance, spring scissors were made
by heating a bar of iron or steel, then flattening and shaping its ends
into blades on an anvil. The center of the bar was heated, bent to
form the spring, then cooled and reheated to make it flexible.
The Hangzhou Zhang Xiaoquan Company in Hangzhou, China has
been manufacturing scissors since 1663.
William Whiteley & Sons (Sheffield) Ltd. was manufacturing scissors
by 1760, although it is believed the business began trading even
earlier. The first trade-mark, 332, was granted in 1791.

 The company is still manufacturing scissors today, and is

the oldest company in the West to do so.
Pivoted scissors were not manufactured in large numbers
until 1761, whenRobert Hinchliffeproduced the first pair
of modern-day scissors made of hardened and polished
cast steel. He lived inCheney Square,Londonand was
reputed to be the first person who put out a signboard
proclaiming himself "fine scissor manufacturer".