The Paperclip

The paper clip is a wonder of simplicity and function, so it seems puzzling that it wasn’t invented earlier. The paper clip is a device that can held several sheets of paper together by means of pressure: it leaves the paper intact and can be easily removed.

A paper clip can be found almost everywhere. Everybody has at least one at home, in the car or in their workplace. This little thing has become very essential in our daily lives.

It is believed that the paper clip was invented in 1899 by William D. Middlebrook. For centuries, straight pins, string and other materials were used as fasteners, but they punctured or damaged the papers. While the paper clip seems like such an obvious solution, its success had to wait for the invention of steel wire, which was "elastic" enough to be stretched, bent and twisted.

The paperclip has also served as a symbol of unity. During World War II people from Norway wore them on their lapels as a symbol of resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II. In 1998 it was also used by a group of students that wanted to have a project where each victim during the Holocaust would be represented by a paper clip. Millions of people all over the world responded to it. They ended up with more than 30 million paper clips.

Although colorful plastic materials and new shapes have challenged the double-oval steel-wire paper clip over the years, none has proven superior. The traditional paper clip is the essence of form follows function. After a century, it still works. Isn’t that great!