The colonial trade that makes barrels and various casks is known as a cooper. His work was performed in a cooperage. The word "cooper" is derived from "cuparius" of Roman times, makers of cupals or wooden casks in which wine producers of Cisalpine Gaul stored their wares.The coopers made barrels and furniture for construction.Coopers are doing this for the last 4000 years.During America's trade with the West Indies, demand for the barrels made by coopers grew exponentially. Salt cod was a major export from the New England colonies and played an important role in its development. A cooper's union was formed in Boston in 1648.Some of the earliest exports in the colonies were barrel staves and larger pipe staves.
