The concept of the briefcase date back to fourteenth century Europe. During this time, a soft satchel was a popular means of transporting money and other valuables. This satchel was known as a "budget" (derived from the Latin "bulga" meaning "leather bag") and was also the origin of the financial term. Godillot of Paris was the first to use an iron frame with hinges in the construction of a carpetbag. These eventually led to the metal-frame leather briefcases that we know and love today. Briefcases take their name from the legal briefs they were originally used to transport.
If you're looking for a leather briefcase, there are several different styles available to meet your needs. It is important to consider how you will be using this briefcase before you buy, whether you are purchasing for yourself or buying cases for holiday / graduation / business gifts. These are two of the most popular styles:
A case without handles is known as a portfolio. Portfolios are designed to be carried under your arm or in your hand. In fact, the name "portfolio" is a combination of the Italian words "portare" and "foglio" which mean "to carry" and "sheet" respectively. A folio case is a term commonly used to refer to portfolios that have handles. A padfolio is a combination of a portfolio and a notepad.
An attache is a leather briefcase that has a hinged metal frame skeleton. Sometimes referred to as a "hardsided briefcase", attaches were extremely popular in the 1970's and are once again receiving interest. However, softer, more casual briefcases are the current trend.
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