The invention of filing cabinets can be attributed to Edwin G. Seibels. Seibels, an American inventor and businessman, is known for developing the vertical filing cabinet in 1898. His invention revolutionized the organization and storage of documents, providing a more efficient and space-saving solution compared to previous methods. Seibels' design consisted of a metal cabinet with drawers that could be pulled out vertically, allowing for easy access and sorting of files. His innovation played a significant role in the development of modern filing systems that are still widely used today.