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A briefcase is a narrow box-shaped bag made of vinyl or leather with a handle on the end and is used mainly for carrying papers and other documents. Lawyers commonly use briefcases to carry briefs to present to a court, originating the name. Businessmen and other people also use briefcases to carry important papers and laptops.
The concept of a briefcase is borrowed for use in Microsoft Windows-based operating systems, where files placed within the briefcase can be synchronised between multiple computers and to converge file modifications.
Most briefcases are derived from a limp satchel used in the fourteenth century for carrying money and valuables. It was called a "budget" derived from the Latin word "bulga" or Irish word "bolg" both meaning leather bag, and that’s where we also get the financial term.
Godillot of Paris first used a hinged iron frame on a carpetbag in 1826. Then followed the Gladstone bag and the Rosebery, an oval-top bag. Eventually these became the modern metal frame briefcase. Briefcases were, of course, named for the purpose of carrying attorney’s briefs.
Types of Briefcases
A portfolio is a case without handles to be carried in hand or under the arm. The name comes from the Italian "portare" meaning "to carry" and "foglio" a "sheet".
A folio case is a portfolio with a retractable handle
An attaché a box-style case made of leather, stretched over a hinged frame that opens into two compartments. It was traditionally carried by an attaché, a diplomatic officer attached to an embassy or consulate officially assigned to serve in a particular capacity (e.g. cultural attaché; military attaché).
Trends
In recent history, there has been a casual trend in the design of briefcases. Soft leather, often with shoulder straps, has replaced traditional hard rectangular cases. The soft leather cases are more conductive to packing and expanding (they have more storage space) and they project a friendlier image. Another factor in the trend is the development of laptop cases for traveling computers.
See also
"Briefcase"