History of everyday objects Vol 1 - Paper Clip
History of Paper Clip
Dear Steemians
I am always fascinated by the history of the little things that we use in our daily lives.
Forks, spoons, lighters ... Who invented them, why, what was the need etc...
I am starting with paper clips.
I will try to keep it short with a chronological view.
I hope you like it.
1 AD China
Papers were made from bamboos,cotton and linen.
Clips were not invented yet, so pages are sewn to bind the pages together.
1750 - 1800 AD
We first see the "direct ancestor" of paperclip - "pin"- in mass production.
source
1867 Samuel B. Fay patented a design of the initial paper clip "The Cinch".
1899 AD
Johan Waaler, a Norvegian inventor invented a clip design, patented it in Germany but never used in mass production.
At the same year, an English manufacturing company - GEM Manufacturing Ltd designed a paper clip that we can call the true ancestor of today clips.
source
Gem Company Ltd never patented those clips but these type of clips are called Gem Clips even thay are manufactured in U.S.A.
Again, the same year 1899, patent on "manufacturing system" of GEM paper clips was taken by W.D Middlebrook.
WW II Nazi invasion in Norway
At Nazi invasion, Norwegians were not allowed to use buttons with the picture of their Kings on it.
As protest, Norwegians used paperclips instead of buttons since it was a Norwegian invention (Johan Waaler) and it was the sign of resistance.
source
Stay positive.
FD.