Can anyone tell me who invented the flipper?

[flatblackcapo]

The first time I saw a flipper was on a Greg Lightfoot knife. Who was this genius?

 

[Bugout Bill]

Kit Carson I think.

 

[elkins45]

It is commonly attributed to Kit Carson (the knife maker not the historic figure) but I don't know if that's accurate.

 

[Glennk]

All this time I thought it was Hollywood.

 

[Maddogg774]

I did, thanks for asking no for real I heard somewhere Kit Carson

 

[328xi]

It was Kit Carson.

 

[Blade-fiend]

Kit didnt invent it he just made it popular heres an old thread on the subject

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/168922-Who-invented-the-quot-flipper-quot

Earliest mention seems to go back to mel pardue I dont see anyone going back farther

 

[Big Mike]

As stated above, flipper was a Hollywood invention,


...but many scenes where shot in my old fishing grounds in and around Marathon Florida and Pegion Key.



Dolphin the fish is good eating, can' say I've had the opportunity to sample Dolphin the mammal.




Big Mike

 

[Yo Mama]

All this time I thought it was Hollywood.

Dude, now that's funny

 

[Egnar T Seinnhoj]

Ben Franklin invented swim fins that were worn on the hands which later became foot flippers.

Harry Mabs invented the Pinball flipper.

Since this is a knife forum, you probably didn't mean those but who's against learning new info?

This thread I found says the flipper goes back pretty far. It also says Kit didn't invent it but he made it popular.

 

[Dr Heelhook]

The balisong is from the Philippines, not sure exactly w... nevermind.

 

[Thrustus]

Ken Onion?

 

[9blades]

I was under the impression it was Mel Pardue.

 

[Thrustus]

Ken Onion?

My mistake I was thinking of the assisted opener.

 

[9blades]

My mistake I was thinking of the assisted opener.

I believe blackie Collins invented assisted opening.

 

[flatblackcapo]

Thanks guys . Those links to the archived threads are awesome. It must have been great to chat with Ken Onion ,Tom Mayo and Kit Carson on the forum!

 

[spyderco lover]

I believe blackie Collins invented assisted opening.

Nah it was ken onion. He invented it after a girl came into his custom knife shop asking for a repair on an auto he made. I figured out how to put a spring into the knife so it could open quicker

 

[9blades]

Nah it was ken onion. He invented it after a girl came into his custom knife shop asking for a repair on an auto he made. I figured out how to put a spring into the knife so it could open quicker

Ken onion invented the speed safe around 1998. The first assisted opeing knife was released in 1995 by Blackie Collins, it was called the "strut and cut" and was made by Mayerco I believe. I'm not trying to start an argument, that's just the information I know.

 

[spyderco lover]

Ken onion invented the speed safe around 1998. The first assisted opeing knife was released in 1995 by Blackie Collins, it was called the "strut and cut" and was made by Mayerco I believe. I'm not trying to start an argument, that's just the information I know.

Learn something new every day Crazy to think that AO are nearly 2 decades old

 

[markseventwo]

Ben Franklin invented swim fins that were worn on the hands which later became foot flippers.

Harry Mabs invented the Pinball flipper.

Since this is a knife forum, you probably didn't mean those but who's against learning new info?

This thread I found says the flipper goes back pretty far. It also says Kit didn't invent it but he made it popular.

I remember that thread from a while ago, and this comment by Les Robertson really stuck out:

"As for who originated the flipper, I don't think any one around today knows. I saw a flipper on a antique friction folder Circa 1875. I think that pre-dates most of the members here. I suspect that are some folders even older than that. I'll bet when they came out who ever came up with the original idea was given credit as the person who "popularized" it."