Despite efforts to improve on the bag, a better design — and machine — wasn’t created until 1871, when Margaret Knight patented a machine that made the flat-bottomed paper bag. Born in 1838, Knight had an inventive streak that was apparent from a young age.
In this manner, when did people start using paper bags?
1852
Then, who invented the brown paper grocery bag? But the real design genius behind the brown bag was Margaret Knight of the Columbia Paper Bag Company in Massachusetts. She pioneered the flat-bottomed bag design we still use today, which was much stronger than Wolle’s version.