The largest number of patents for flower arrangers came in the 1930's. The earliest patent for a metal type flower arranger was issued to William Stuck at Dazey Manufacturing during the year 1916. By 1930's the industry was seeking the "perfect flower arranger" and due to the popularity of flowers in the household there were hundreds of creative juices flowing in the fight for the title. Many styles were practical. Some were creative figures of art. And they all gave thought to how the housewife would be able to quickly make the perfect arrangement at home. By the late 1930's the florist industry was beginning to deliver flowers from the shop so the commerical need for the pin or needle flower arrangement was a demand at the creation spot as well. According to information in Bonnie Bull's book Flower Frogs for the Collector, the pin needle type flower holder was patented in 1922 but I have heard some japanese arrangers were designed prior to this date. In the late 1920's flower competitions were becoming popular. Up to this time the glass inserts and pottery blocks only allowed the flowers to look stiff and upright. People were beginning to want to play with style and volume of stems and did not want to be restricted to the number of holes in a flower frog of the day.

The above picture is of a Beagle adjustable wire arranger. It carries the patent number 2.oo5.966, 6/25/35.  It was issued to Ralph Beagle. The wire unit raised and lowers. The base was made of pot metal and the wires were of copper or brass. Mostly were painted green. This style allowed you to adjust the height to fit the design of the flower arranger. It is pretty remarkable how much thought and creativity went into flower frogs during this time. Some of the best designs were in the area of functional metal flower frogs.

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