It's only a paperclip

Paperclips usually have an long shape with straight sides, but may also be triangular or circular, or have more elaborate shapes. The most common material to use is steel but moulded plastic can also be used. Recent innovations include paper clips that are multi-coloured plastic-coated.

There has been an ongoing debate for years as to where paper clip actually came from. One story claims that it was originally invented in 1867 by Samuel Fay and the design of the has not changed at all since. There have been hundreds of different designs over the years and the most common we know today did not come out until 1894. The patent for the modern type of paper clip was granted to William Middlebrook for a ‘Machine for making wire paper clips.’ Since then countless variations on the same theme have been patented. But the original Gem type has proved to be the most practical, and therefore the most popular. Its qualities, ease of use as well as gripping without tearing, have been hard to improve upon.

The giant paper clip in Sandvika, Norway.
It shows the gem,not the one patented by Vaaler.

Johan Vaaler, Norwegian inventor, has been incorrectly identified with the invention of the paper clip. He was granted patents in the United States and Germany for a similar design, but less practical and functional, lacking the last turn of the wire. Vaaler probably did not know that a better product was already on the market, although not yet in Norway. His version was never manufactured and never marketed. Long after Vaaler's death his countrymen created a national myth based on the false assumption that the paper clip was invented by an unrecognised Norwegian genius. Patriots even wore them in their lapels as a symbol of resistance to the German occupiers.

Did you know...?

During the Nazi occupation of Norway in World War II wearing a paper clip was often reason enough for arrest.

A paper clip image is the standard image for an attachment in an email client.

Paper clips can be worn as bracelets and rings.

Paper clips sometimes can be effective lock picking device.