How did manila folders get their name?
File folders in the 19th century were made from Manila hemp, and so were called Manila folders.What is Manila hemp?”Manila hemp” is the common name of the abaca plant, a native of the Philippines. It is an herb that is closely related to the banana plant, but doesn’t grow edible fruit. It is not related to true hemp, cannabis sativa.Why is it Called Hemp?True hemp is a soft fiber that comes from the cannabis sativa plant. However, the term “hemp” is often used for long fibers, such as those that come from the abaca plant. Abaca hemp is a much stiffer fiber than true hemp.Other Uses of AbacaAbaca, like true hemp, has several uses. It is made into ropes and textiles, woven to make furniture, and turned into paper–including the paper on which Philippine currency is printed.
