Slatwall for the retail industry was patented in 1966 by H.E. Graham of Claremont, CA, under patent #3,235,218 and entitled Article Display Board. The patent describes the invention as such: "my invention relates to display boards or panels and more particularly to and article-display board for hanging salable merchandise, household articles or other items for display or utilitarian purposes. It serves purposes similar to those of the well known apertured panel of the Peg Board type, but is a distinct improvement thereon."

It is thought that Mr. Graham gave up enforcing his patent since any cabinet shop or store fixture manufacturer could easily fabricate Slatwall with common woodworking equipment. However, it was a very arduous and time consuming process - using table saws and jigs for gluing and stapling each "slat" onto a sheet of 1/4" plywood.

Amcraft Fixture Company of Seffner, Florida was the first company in the US to specialize in manufacturing Slatwall. Amcraft trademarked the name Bracket Board, however it quickly became known as Slatwall...more