By: Daniel Nardini
A few years ago, my aunt got me a Swiss Army knife. Ever since then I have kept it in my car just in case I might ever need it (like cutting my seatbelt in case of an accident. There is not much else one can use a Swiss Army knife for in the Chicago suburbs). The Swiss Army knife, which was first invented by Karl Elsener in 1890 in Switzerland, became famous not only in Switzerland but also in Germany and around the world. The knife became a favorite military tool, and following the Second World War, American soldiers would soon fall in love with this unique type of knife. The Swiss Army knife, with its dozens of features from nail files to scissors to screwdrivers and even bottle openers, is a favorite survival tool for many hunters as well as people who travel widely around the world. For those in this country who go hiking, travel through rural or wilderness areas, and fish, the Swiss Army knife is an indispensable tool. For many boy scouts, it is an ideal tool during long hikes in the woods.
The Swiss Army knife, with its characteristic red handle and the famous white cross of the flag of Switzerland, is manufactured by the Swiss company Victorinox—the company that has been making the famed knife since 1909. According to the current owner (and grandson of the founder Karl Elsener) of the company, Carl Elsener, Jr., Victorinox turns out an estimated 35,000 Swiss Army knives of just about every type a day. Ever since the company was founded, the company has never laid off any employee for economic reasons. The company has always been wise in how it invests in itself, and makes sure that its employees are well treated. I have not heard of any other company with a record like that. But then, Victorinox, which is so well known in the world lexicon for manufacturing a quality tool, has for almost its entire history never had a shortage in demand for its product. If anything, demand exceeds supply. Strangely enough, this was not entirely true recently.
After the Al Qaeda attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, the U.S. government moved to ban any and all types of “sharp” instruments on all airplane flights. This most certainly included the Swiss Army knife. Because people could no longer take anything remotely considered a weapon on board a plane, the sale of Swiss Army knives actually declined. However, within the last five years, sales of the Swiss Army knife are now higher than ever. It is a tool that too many cannot do without. Even people who just hang around the house or apartment all day still need the Swiss Army knife for fixing things and for preparing food in the kitchen. There are few things that have withstood the test of time, and the Swiss Army knife remains a “must” for people even in the 21st Century.
The Swiss Army Knife
By: Daniel Nardini
The Swiss Army knife, with its characteristic red handle and the famous white cross of the flag of Switzerland, is manufactured by the Swiss company Victorinox—the company that has been making the famed knife since 1909. According to the current owner (and grandson of the founder Karl Elsener) of the company, Carl Elsener, Jr., Victorinox turns out an estimated 35,000 Swiss Army knives of just about every type a day. Ever since the company was founded, the company has never laid off any employee for economic reasons. The company has always been wise in how it invests in itself, and makes sure that its employees are well treated. I have not heard of any other company with a record like that. But then, Victorinox, which is so well known in the world lexicon for manufacturing a quality tool, has for almost its entire history never had a shortage in demand for its product. If anything, demand exceeds supply. Strangely enough, this was not entirely true recently.
After the Al Qaeda attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, the U.S. government moved to ban any and all types of “sharp” instruments on all airplane flights. This most certainly included the Swiss Army knife. Because people could no longer take anything remotely considered a weapon on board a plane, the sale of Swiss Army knives actually declined. However, within the last five years, sales of the Swiss Army knife are now higher than ever. It is a tool that too many cannot do without. Even people who just hang around the house or apartment all day still need the Swiss Army knife for fixing things and for preparing food in the kitchen. There are few things that have withstood the test of time, and the Swiss Army knife remains a “must” for people even in the 21st Century.