We have our new Simpson Strong-Tie Wood Construction Connectors catalog coming out in January. In anticipation of this, I wanted to do a series of short, daily posts discussing the history of Simpson Strong-Tie products, catalogs, and random trivia through the years. In the winter holiday spirit, we’ll do this in “Twelve Days of Christmas” style.
First Day of Trivia – The First Connector Catalog
We published our first Simpson Strong-Tie catalog in 1957. It was four pages long. The versatile A35 framing anchor was in this catalog and we were excited about its square design offering improved load distribution because of symmetrical surfaces. By 1962, our manufacturing team incorporated a cookie-cut design, which reduced steel material usage while maintaining load performance, resulting in the A35N. The 1962 catalog also ushered in the A34N, a shorter angle connector that could fit on a 2×4. In 1972, both of these products received a speed prong. Speed prongs temporarily hold the connector in place while you drive the nails.
A Simpson catalog wouldn’t be a catalog without joist hangers, and the 1957 catalog had two kinds. The U-series face-mount hanger came in two sizes, U25 and U29. The twisted hangers formed a top-flange hanger series that could accommodate sawn lumber joists ranging from 2×8 to 6×16.
