Buzz
Although the days of receiving physical documents in the mail instead of PDFs may be dwindling, the Manila envelope remains an essential tool. These large, durable enclosures continue to protect everything from legal contracts to insurance policies and even confidential secrets.
So, why are they named 'Manila' envelopes? Is there a connection to the Philippines? And how did the name come to be?
In the 1830s, American paper manufacturers faced shortages of cotton and linen rags used to make paper pulp. In response, they turned to Manila rope, which was commonly found on ships. Unlike cotton and linen, Manila rope was made from Manila hemp—a particularly strong and durable material sourced from abacá plants native to the Philippines. This made it ideal for various uses, from ship sails to shirt collars, and thus, the material and its name became synonymous with the envelope we still use today.
Even when alternative paper sources became available, companies continued to find uses for Manila fibers. Worn-out Manila ropes, no longer suitable for their original purpose, could be recycled instead of thrown away, making them a cost-effective material.
Early Manila folders were much thicker and more similar to cardboard than the modern versions we use today. A single sheet could be folded in half to create a basic folder. Thanks to its water-resistant nature, it was perfect for storing and transporting essential documents. The natural yellow-brown hue of the plant fibers gave it a distinct golden tint.
Although Manila fibers were the primary material, it took some time for the term 'Manila envelope' to gain widespread use. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the first appearance of the phrase in print to 1889, when the Barnum and Co. printers proudly stated their specialty was 'large Manilla [sic] ... envelopes.'
The export of Manila hemp should have been a profitable venture for the Philippines, but colonial influences interfered. The American government recognized Manila rope as a vital wartime asset and sought to control its trade while colonizing the Philippines at the dawn of the 20th century. During this time, the majority of the country’s abacá was sent to the U.S., leaving Filipinos with minimal profits.
Over time, Manila fibers were gradually phased out of paper manufacturing as wood pulp became more readily available and cheaper. However, Manila products had earned a reputation for durability, and paper companies still used unbleached, yellowish paper to create large envelopes. Today, these envelopes are typically sealed with a gum flap or a metal clasp. Despite the absence of the original plant fiber, the 'Manila' label endures, representing an envelope strong enough to protect documents, even if the material is no longer as resilient as the Manila hemp it was once made from.
