Paper Clip: From Invention to Industrial Staple

Background

The paper clip is a ubiquitous office staple that temporarily holds sheets together. Its manufacturing technology emerged in the early 1900s and has remained essentially unchanged since the 1930s.

Most office workers use the Gem clip, named after a British exporter from 1907 that popularized the oval‑within‑oval shape. The term “Gem” now refers to any clip of that design, regardless of maker. Archivists sometimes prefer the Gothic clip, which has a rectangular body with a triangular inner loop.

Key distinctions among paper clips include overall size, wire thickness, and finish—smooth or corrugated. In the United States, a handful of domestic manufacturers produce roughly 20 million pounds (9 kg) of clips each year.

History

Before the late 19th century, binding a handful of sheets required slitting corners or using straight pins—methods that damaged paper and were inconvenient. Early patents in the 1850s and 1870s explored various shapes, but none achieved widespread adoption.

The first U.S. patent for a paper clip was granted in 1898 to Matthew Schooley of Pennsylvania, though earlier designs existed. Norwegian inventor John Vaaler patented a Gem‑style clip in 1899, and the design soon became a symbol of Norwegian resistance during World War II, even inspiring a 23‑ft statue in Norway.

By the early 1900s, multiple designs—including the Konaclip (1900) and the Gem (imported from England in 1907)—competed. By the mid‑1930s, the Gem clip had become the industry standard worldwide.

Raw Materials

Paper clips are typically forged from galvanized steel wire. Wire diameter and steel grade vary: light, inexpensive wire is common, but premium clips use higher‑quality steel to meet specific mechanical and aesthetic requirements.

Design Considerations

Although the Gem shape remains iconic, designers must balance stiffness, yield stress, cost, and durability. The wire must retain shape yet allow easy opening, resist cracking, and avoid burrs. Finishes range from smooth to serrated, and clips come in multiple sizes to meet diverse needs.

Manufacturing Process

1. The process starts with a spool of galvanized steel wire fed into a specialized machine. Three small wheels—slightly roughened—guide the wire into the characteristic three‑bend shape.
2. Each wheel turns the wire 180° in sequence, producing a clip in milliseconds. Modern machines can produce hundreds of clips per minute.
3. Finished clips fall into open boxes that are then sealed. In larger factories, dozens of machines run concurrently, controlled automatically by a single operator.

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Quality Control

Visual inspection is sufficient for most production runs. Machines built in the 1930s are still in use; skilled technicians regularly check for wear and performance, ensuring consistent clip quality.

By‑products and Waste

Despite their reusability, many paper clips end up in landfill. Office recyclers often request removal before paper is recycled. Metal detectors can separate clips for recycling, but studies show a large portion is misused (e.g., as cleaning tools) and discarded.

The Future

Since the 1950s, plastic and plastic‑coated variants have entered the market, and a 1990s company marketed a giant Gem capable of holding over 100 sheets. Nonetheless, the classic design remains largely unchanged, raising the question of whether further innovation is necessary.

Where to Learn More

Books

• Kalpakjian, Serope. Manufacturing Engineering and Technology. Reading, MA: Addison‑Wesley, 1992.
• Petrovsky, Henry. The Evolution of Useful Things. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1992.

Periodicals

• Allen, Frederick. “How Do You Make Paper Clips?” American Heritage Invention & Technology (Summer 1998).
• “Now This Is a Paper Clip!” Managing Office Technology (April 1997): 16.

Angela Woodward