History of the Paper Clip and a Link for pictures

History of the Paper Clip


Advertisement for the Common-Sense Paper Clip

"When were bent-wire paper clips introduced? The first bent-wire paper clip was patented by Samuel B. Fay in 1867. It was originally intended primarily for attaching tickets to fabric, although the patent recognized that it could be used to attach paper items together. By 1899 and for decades thereafter, the Fay design was widely advertised under many brand names for use in fastening papers. A second paper clip design was patented in 1877. It was advertised at that time for use in fastening newspapers. A patent application filed at the end of 1896 indicated that a number of different paper clips were in use. One can infer that a variety of unpatented paper clips were on the market in the mid-1890s. Beginning in 1897, a number of paper clip designs were patented. This evidence suggests that bent-wire paper clips came into widespread use in offices in the mid to late 1890s. A 1900 trade publication stated that "The wire clip for holding office papers together has entirely superseded the use of the pin in all up-to-date offices." (Business, March 1900, p. 173)

Why weren't bent-wire paper clips marketed earlier? According to Petroski, "Steel wire was still new in the second half of the nineteenth century....[T]he widespread manufacture and use of the paper clip had to await not only the availability of the right wire but also the existence of machinery capable of tirelessly and reliably bending it in a flash into things that could be bought for pennies a box." (Henry Petroski, "From Pins to Paper Clips," The Evolution of Useful Things, Vintage, New York, 1992, p. 60)

What products did paper clips compete with most closely? The two earliest patents indicate that bent-wire paper clips could be used in lieu of pins, sewing, "pointed bent-over paper fasteners," and eyelets. In 1904, Clinch Clips were advertised as "Cheaper than Pins." Around 1910 advertisements compare paper clips to straight pins for temporary attachment of papers. By contrast, early paper clip advertisements do not refer to staples. (Image to right shows a box of Cushman & Denison T Pins patented in 1902 & 1904.)

Why were bent-wire paper clips sold in so many different designs? Many designs were initially protected by patents. As a result, other manufacturers had to come up with different designs. Also, no single paper clip design is optimal for all purposes. In marketing paper clips, suppliers emphasized the superiority of their designs on one or two of the following characteristics:

1. Does not catch, mutilate, or tear papers
2. Does not get tangled with other clips in the box
3. Holds a thick set of papers
4. Holds papers securely
5. Is thinner and takes less space in files
6. Is easily inserted
7. Is light weight and requires less postage
8. Is cheap (because it uses less wire)

The Early Paper Clip Gallery below identifies every bent-wire paper clip that we are aware of that has a patent date before the end of 1901 plus every one for which we have found an advertisement or an example (but excluding modern decorative paper clips). Many additional designs that are not shown here were patented. Presumably most of these were not advertised widely or for long. In the case of paper clips patented before the end of 1901, if we do not have an advertisement that tells us the brand name of the clip, we have identified the clip using the patent holder's last name in italics.Bookmark and use our correct address, http://www.earlyofficemuseum.com or http://www.officemuseum.com"

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