National Paperclip Day
About National Paperclip Day
When is National Paperclip Day? This holiday is always celebrated on May 29
When you think about basic office necessities, a desk, chair telephone, and computer appear at the top of the list. Then, there’s pens, pencils, and paper. But, don’t forget about the humble, yet functional and inexpensive paperclip. This simple and nearly indestructible device holds together all those important paper documents you prepared to impress the boss. So, today on National Paperclip Day, we honor and celebrate a device that we can’t imagine living without.
It’s amazing what you can do with a thin, flexible bent wire. Paperclips are important at home and school, too. And, for the same reason…. it securely binds together important documents. At home, the versatile paperclip can have many other uses.
Paperclips are made of steel, other metals, and plastic. They come in many sizes and shapes. Plastic paper clips can come in any color in the rainbow. Metal clips are sometimes gold-toned.
Who Invented the Paperclip?
There’s a little controversy over who invented the paperclip. There are many patents for this invention. Three gentlemen in particular played a role in its creation and evolution.
Samual B. Fay from the United States was the first to receive a patent. In 1867 he received U.S. patent 64,088 for a “bent wire paperclip”. He designed it to attach tickets to fabric. It didn’t take long for people to recognize it also was good for holding papers together.
In 1877, Earlman J. Wright also received a patent for a paperclip.
In 1899, Norwegian Jon Valler was issued a German patent for a paperclip. He got the patent from Germany because Norway didn’t issue patents at that time.
Many others claimed a role in the creation, improvement, and perfection of paperclips. By 1899, 50 patents were issued. However, the Gem paperclip, manufactured by the Gem Manufacturing Company, was never patented.
Know Your Paperclip
Although they all serve the same purpose, there is no one specific type of paperclip for all uses. Rather, there are numerous sizes, shapes, materials, and designs.
Types of Paperclips
Gem Clips – These are regular or standard paper clips that are the most popular. The design is two loops of wire in opposing directions.
Butterfly Clips – These are the hefty and strong type of clip. They are great for holding thicker stacks of paper. It is often called a “Binder Clip”.
Paper Clamp Clips – These clips are similar to the Butterfly Clip. It is made of two flat pieces of metal hinged together. It is also, referred to as a “Binder Clip”.
Magnet Clip – They are most often a binder clip with a magnet attached to the back of the clip. This allows it to be hung on a refrigerator or other magnetic surface.
Paperclip shapes are limited only by one’s imagination. The “Gem” paperclip is the standard shape. Square, rectangle, triangle, “Owl”, and “Ideal” shapes are very common, too. But, you can find hearts, arrows, stars, bows, and even Mickey Mouse shapes.
Alternate Uses for Paperclips
Paperclips show off their versatility at home. The uses are practically endless. Here are just a few of them:
- Create artwork.
- Hang ornaments on a Christmas tree.
- Create a makeshift zipper pull.
- Temporarily connect two things together.
- Hang all sorts of objects, indoors and out.
- Use it as a bookmark.
- Pick a lock.
- Unclog small tubes.
- Seal snack bags.
- Reboot electronic devices.
- Impromptu key ring.
- Lose a button on your shirt? A paperclip is a short-term fix.
Paperclip Trivia
During World War II, students at Oslo University in Norway wore paperclips as a sign of resistance to the Nazi occupation of their country.
Because it binds things together, paperclips are a sign of unity.
In 2010, Evgeny Stepovik from Miass, Russia created the world’s largest paperclip. It measured 30′ 9″ tall and 8’11” wide.
The emoji with two paperclips linked together is a sign of boredom.
The record for the most paperclips linked together in a chain in 24 hours is 1,114,298.
Scientists are working to create an eco-friendly, bio-degradable paper clip. Stay tuned.
How to Celebrate and Participate in National Paperclip Day
There is a wide range of activities you can do to celebrate this special day. They include:
- Use paperclips.
- Buy new paperclips.
- Start a paperclip collection. Look for odd and different ones.
- Trade paperclips with your friends.
- Use them to make an art project. This is a great school project for art class.
- They are made of metal. So, keep them out of the waste stream by recycling them.
- Use your artistic talent to create a finger or toe ring.
Today's Words of Encouragement
“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” – – William Arthur Ward
This Day in History
Here are some things that happened on this day:
- Famous Abraham Lincoln quote: “You can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time”. (1849)
- Albert Einstein publishes his Theory of Relativity. (1919)
- Melanie Janine Brown, singer, “Scary Spice” of the “Spice Girls” was born on this day in 1975.
History and Origin of National Paperclip Day
Our research has not yet identified the creator of this holiday, or why they created it. The earliest reference we found to this holiday was 2020.
This title of this holiday calls it a “National” day. We did not find any congressional records or presidential proclamations for this day. With that said, we firmly believe that it “should:” be a national day.
Definition of “National” Days – and why it is so important to distinguish and identify true national days.
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