The Paper Clip
When were bent-wire paper clips introduced? The first bent-wire paper clip was patented by Samuel B Fay in 1867. This clip was originally intended primarily for attaching tickets to fabric, although the patent recognised that it could be used to attach papers together. We have found no advertisement or other mention for the Fay paper clip before 1899, and it, therefore, appears unlikely that it had significant, if any, sales prior to the late 1890s. However, beginning in 1899 and for decades thereafter, the Fay design was widely advertised under many brand names for use in fastening papers.
The Gem paper clip, which was never patented, but which eventually became by far the best-selling paper clip in the US, has been advertised since 1894 and may have been introduced in 1892.
A patent application filed at the end of 1896 indicated that a number of different paper clips were in use. A flood of paper clip patents was issued beginning in 1897. This evidence indicates that bent-wire paper clips came into widespread use in offices in the 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 A 1900 trade publication stated that "The wire clip for holding office papers together has entirely superseded the use of the pin in all up-to-date offices."
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. The 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)
With what products did paper clips compete 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.
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 emphasised 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 (eg, because it uses less wire)
The patent filed by Fay in 1867 included the application of keeping papers together and fastening .
Post 1899, Fay used different to market his paper clips.
The number one paper clip in America was called .
A trade magazine seemed to recognise the success of the paper clip around .
Production of the paper clip was held back until the became available.
In 1904, paper clips were sold on the basis of them being alternatives.
The on paper clip designs forced competitors to be more creative.
Some paper clips were marketed as being able to keep a lot of pages together more .