Paperclips

Way back in the days of yore, long before paperclips came into existence, string, pins, ribbon, leather strips or wire were used to attach items together.

Prices needed to be attached to fabrics and valuable documents needed to be attached to one another. In the late 1800's a little invention is in the works that is about to take the business world by storm. That most useful of all office supplies "The Paperclip" is about to be invented.

By whom? Well history seems to be a little confused on that issue. It seems that the true history of paperclips is a little bit fuzzy....

History books lay the prestigious claim of this amazing discovery to a number of people but who it was that invented the paperclip is still being debated.

In 1899 a Norwegion fellow by the name of Johan Vaaler had his little gadget patented in Germany (Norway did not have patent laws at that time) and Norway lays claim to the invention of the paperclip.

But mean while back in the United States Samual B. Fay has already laid claim to his tiny metal gizmo by having it patented in 1867 followed closely by Erlman J. Wright's patent in the year 1877.

While amongst all this patent curfufful comes along a little document advertising 'Gem' paperclips for sale in Britain way back in 1894. It turns out that the Gem paperclip isn't patented, but it is instead the machine that makes it that is, yet this tiny piece of twisted wire is to become the most widely recognized paperclip in the world.

We all know that paperclips clip pieces of paper together and are thus indispensable in the office area. But did you know that they also work amazingly well in numerous other little emergency areas of the office as well?

For example: Bend one into a straight line, stab it into your eraser and you can store all your receipts on it. Or maybe you are sitting in your office and you suddenly lose a button, no sweat, use a paperclip to hold you together. So you forgot to accessorize that day, don't worry just chain some together to make a stylish bracelet, cufflinks or necklace. Popped a hem, well hemming is not a problem with a few tiny little paperclips at hand. Need a tieclip? Who you gonna call? Paperclip! Paperclip! They also make a handy dandy little fish hook, although I am not quite sure what kind of office you would be working out of to require one of those?

Toothpick, shishkabob, stir stick or just to play with as "pick up sticks". Had a really really rough day, and just need to relax, a paperclip with one end untangled makes a fantastic roach clip. Put a little cotton on the end of one and you have a swab for your ears or belly button. Ewwwwwww!

Guitar pick, lock pick, hair barrette or just something to clean under your nails with. Ring holder, picture hanger or instrument of torture if it is deemed absolutely necessary under current office conditions. Ah and of course, for the ultimate office reward you would have the coveted, "Golden Paperclip Award" to hand out.

Yep, that quiet little item we refer to as a paperclip, sure comes in handy when it needs to!

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_clip

http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi769.htm

http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blpaperclip.htm