Handcuffs might seem like a relatively modern invention but the need for restraining disorderly or dangerous subjects has existed since prehistoric times.
It is believed that early humans used strips of animal hides to bind the hands and this evolved to the use of primitive rope made from twisted vines and reeds.

During the Bronze and Iron Ages humans learned how to work with metals and they were able to fashion more sophisticated, reusable handcuffs.
These early handcuffs featured locking mechanism that were very basic by today's standards but were nevertheless a significant advancement for that period.

Historical records and literature from ancient Greek and Roman society contain numerous references to felons and prisoners of war
being bound by 'fetters,' 'chains,' and 'irons.' This represented yet another progression in restraining devices, as chains were heavy and
cumbersome enough to make escape or flight extremely difficult.

One of the earliest literary allusions to handcuffs comes from Vergil, a Roman poet,in his description of the god Proteus' captivity.
In those olden days there dwelt in the Carpathian Sea a wily old deity, known by the name of Proteus, possessing the gift of prophecy,
the fruits of which he selfishly denied to mankind. Even if those who wished to consult him were so fortunate as to find him, all their effort to
force him to exert his gifts of prophecy were useless, for he was endowed with the power of changing himself into all things, and he eluded their grasp
by becoming a flame of fire or a drop of water. There was one thing, however, against which all the miracles of Proteus were of no avail,
and of this Arstaeus was aware. So Arstaeus came, as Virgil tells us, from a distant land to consult the famous prophet. He found him on the sea-shore
among his seals, basking in the afternoon sun Quick as thought he fitted handcuffs on him, and all struggles and devices were now of no avail.
Such was then the efficacy of handcuffs even on the persons of the immortal gods.

Having established this remote and honorable antiquity, we are not surprised at the appearance of handcuffs in the fourth century B.C., when the soldiers
of a conquering Greek army found among the baggage of the routed Carthaginians several chariots full of handcuffs, which had been held ready in confident
anticipation of a great victory and a multitude of prisoners.

The Middle Ages saw the rise of manacles and shackles as the primary restraining devices of choice.Though these restraints exhibited more advanced
workmanship than their predecessors, they were not adjustable, so prisoners with smaller wrists were often able to slip out and flee from their captors.

The biggest design breakthrough came in 1862 when an inventor named W.V. Adams patented the familiar ratcheting mechanism that is associated with
modern police equipment. The ratchets were engaged by a small locking apparatus that allowed the cuffs to be adjusted to virtually any size wrist.
Today's law enforcement agencies approve the use of many different types of restraints. These include typical chain link handcuffs,
hinged handcuffs, rigid handcuffs, disposable PlastiCuffs (aka FlexiCuffs or zip-ties), leg and waist restraints to control the prisoner.

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