The subject of this work is the history of the creation and development of the regulations on wage garnishment, specifically sections 850 to 850k of the German Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO). Taking into account previously unpublished materials, the work first presents the history of the socially oriented wage attachment law of 1869. Subsequently, the development towards today's wage garnishment law is outlined in chronological order. Particularly significant were the introduction of the principle of graduated garnishment limits, the prohibition of naked garnishment, and the equal treatment of wage garnishment for workers and employees on one hand, and the garnishment of civil servant salaries on the other. Additionally, the controversial jurisprudence of the Federal Court of Justice regarding the 1,500 Mark contracts is also addressed.