History is all about dates, we are taught from primary school the important dates in our own historical timeline. We learn when was the War of Roses? When did Queen Victoria rule? When was the Battle of Bannockburn? Not only are these dates engrained in our minds from an early age, but they are also written on documents that give us insight into historical events which help forge the world we live in.

In this blog I am going to provide an insight of the importance date stamps play in today’s work force.

The oldest recoded date was 3500 - 3200 BCE of Early Dynastic Period of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Sumerians, which deals with Pharaohs and their reigns, as preserved by ancient Egyptians. These hieroglyphs provide a record of the time period, while there are some writings believed to be around the same time and possibly earlier that mention a list of property such as cattle and grain. What most people agree on is this is where history begins.

The first recorded war in history was The Battle of Megiddo between the Egyptian forces under the rule of Pharaoh Thutmose III and a Canaanite coalition under the King of Kadesh. This piece gives us a detailed account of the battle including the first body count and use of a composite bow. The ancient Egyptian account gives the date of the battle as the 21st day of the first month of the third season of Year 23 of the reign of Thutmose III. This would be a common theme of ‘history is written by the victor.’

In the UK, the first written record of our isles is regarded to be that of Pytheas of Massilia, a Greek explorer who sailed around the Britain between 330-320 BCE who remarked on our skilled wheat farmers.

As for the oldest handwritten document recorded in the UK, this would be Roman Tablets which has been dated 8 January AD 57 and are believed to be a financial document of a person buying and owing denarri for merchandise.

We know all the above because it was either written on wood or engraved on stone or clay. We have a better understanding of how the world was thanks to someone having the foresight to document their current events. Today we have paper documents and computer files where all our information is recorded and stored. In the scheme of things, your document might not be as important as the Magna Carta, but to your business it is vital for workflow and recorded evidence.

Why do we need to date documents?

Business today is about efficiency, clarity and regulations, but imagine the challenge of having hundreds if not thousands of documents and the one you want is sitting in a file cabinet or cupboard somewhere. A client is asking you to provide the latest employment terms and conditions for your company, you know it was updated this year, but do they have the latest copy of the document? You begin to file through the documents one at a time and finally you find the document, but there are two, which is the most up to date? You flip over the paper, and you see in clear red and blue print the dates on each paper. You photocopy the correct document and send it to the client knowing you have represented the business correctly and legally.

Customised Date Stamps

Another scenario you must consider can be employees contract changes such as pay or an address change. Having the correct date changes to their contract took place, having the document signed and dated will ensure your business is following Government guidelines for employee personal information. It also keeps you the employer in the right in case there is a query or dispute further down the line.

Here on Stamp Factory, we have personalised date stamps that allow you to add your own text as well as the option to upload your own design including your signature.

Colour Choice

Trodat’s range of Date Stamps come with an option of 5 different ink pad colours including dual red/blue, black, red, blue and green each will be clear on your office paperwork. If you have a lot of paperwork, an additional tip for keeping documents organised is colour co-ordination which allows you to not only find the correct documentation quicker, but also separate them into categories.

All the date stamps are made using the highest quality material as expected from a Trodat product. The Printy’s and Professionals are made using high content of recycled plastic and are CO2 compensated to have minimal effect on the environment.

In Summary

No business, small or large, can operate without the correct documentation. Whether it’s general policy, intricate work instructions, insurance procedures, any type of activity, all reports are important and valuable, making it even more essential to record the correct details for the company.

Date stamps are as important to business as hieroglyphics are to archaeologists.