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Making Metal Mesh by Hand Since the late 1800’s

In 1876, Wade Davis & Company, the precursor to Whiting & Davis, was founded by William H. Wade, Edward P. Davis, and Louis Heckman in Massachusetts. 1892, Mr. Whiting designed the first mesh bag, with all rings formed and joined by hand. By 1912 a machine was invented to automate the mesh-making process. Charles Whiting joined the company in 1880 at age 16 and swiftly moved up the ranks to management. In 1896, he and Mr. Davis formed a partnership and raised money to purchase the company, then renamed it The Whiting & Davis Company.

By the 1920s, Whiting & Davis’ beautiful, high-quality purses were the coveted accessory of flappers, actresses, and “well-dressed women everywhere.” That’s when the company received its first request for a metal mesh fabric drape. It was to be used as a movie screen in a New York City theatre, and our Specialty Division was born. The publicity this drape generated by word of mouth led to architects and designers alike contacting Whiting & Davis to request more drapes for their projects. At this time, Whiting & Davis was known for its uniquely beautiful mesh bags made popular by the flapper trends. They did not publicly advertise their manufactured mesh fabric used for other innovative pieces. Everything from interior drapes, privacy screens, jewelry, garments, and eveningwear.

Fast forward to the early 2000s when the decision was made to bring into focus the décor industry and applications, this action led to more and more architects and designers finding Whiting & Davis a source of unique fabrics, largely by word of mouth. Whiting & Davis has always made their metal mesh fabrics available to various industries and continuously receives many requests to manufacture a multitude of products.

Today, Whiting & Davis works with world-renowned architectural and design firms, providing made-to-order metal mesh fabrics for each project. Our team of specialists continue to develop new colors, finishes, and final products. Whiting & Davis continues to be the top manufacturer of mesh fabrics worldwide, all while still being manufactured in the USA. Personalized service and customizable capabilities are just one of the many things that have kept Whiting & Davis as the industry leader over generations.

View our gallery of mesh with looks from every generation.