I work in a law firm and have become intrigued with "legal size"
paper. My question pertains to the history, meaning and significance
of what we call legal sized paper. First, when was legal sized paper
first used? What is the "history" of legal-sized paper? Second, and
related, why is it 8.4x14 as opposed to the standard letter size of
8.5x11? Third, why are legal pads traditionally yellow as opposed to
white?
The answer(s) I am looking for would include relevant dates, places
and people. The standard for your answer should be, would a lawyer
(or interested non-lawyer) find the answer interesting, funny, etc.
Details are the key. Thanks.
Dear yoyo thank you for this interesting question which I have
wondered about in the past too! Here are the answers:
1.As for the date when legal sized paper was first used:
“We note that by the 1870s a paper size called legal cap or legal
blank had emerged that was 8-1/2 inches wide and anywhere from 13 to
16 inches long.”
2. 8.4x14 Vs 8.5x11
“The situation with legal size (8-1/2x14) is equally murky. It
arguably does derive from foolscap, a traditional paper size" also
"I believe our standard 8-1/2x11 typing paper is a quarter sheet of
what eighteenth and nineteenth-century papermakers would call `writing
medium.' Printers used a medium sheet of 18x23 inches but stationers
preferred a smaller version of medium measuring 17x22 inches.... "
3.Why do lawyers use yellow pads?
"Because they are allegedly (like the use of that lawyerly term?)
easier on the eyes than white paper. And for people who have to write
and read a lot, it makes sense to use something that's easier on the
eyes."
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mattorney.html
Some of the humour I stumbled across too:
"lawyers use legal size because they need 14 inches to say what
ordinary folks can fit in 11."
“If 8.5 x 14 paper is considered 'legal' size is everything else
illegal? Will we go to jail if we use illegal paper? Will the paper
police pick us up or will we just be shredded?”
http://www.gadzillionthings.net/Think153.html
I hope this answers your question which I enjoyed researching too !
THX1138
Search Term used:
"lawyers write on yellow" (Believe it or not!)
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