Hello friends, welcome to the world of science. Today, let’s get closer to the paperclip and explore its mysteries. The paperclip is still in use today, but did you know it was also a small invention? And it is one of the most inconspicuous inventions in history. A paper clip is a thin piece of wire bent into the shape of a double oval, but before the invention of the paper clip over the past century, no one could figure out a good way to hold loose pieces of paper together.
When was the paper clip invented? Norwegian John Valle applied for a patent for this design in Germany in 1899. A year later, a paper clip called konaclip designed by Cornel Brosnan also applied for a U.S. patent. In England, a gemstone company quickly produced the double oval gemstone paperclip we are now familiar with. It was then that a large number of paper clips began to be sold.
Although the paper clip is regarded as the most inconspicuous invention, it is also a miracle of simplicity and practicality. Centuries before the paper clip was invented, other things, such as pins, threads and other materials, were used to secure paper, but these things could easily puncture the paper and cause damage to it. The invention of the paper clip solved this problem very well, but its real success relied on metal wire, because it is very elastic and easy to stretch and bend.
Although the invention of the paper clip has received support from the majority of users, researchers still want to further improve its related design. In order to prevent the paper from being scratched, the tip of the metal wire is ground more rounded. By 1907, Gemstone dominated the market with double U-shaped paper clips that slid easily and held letters, documents and notes in place without damaging the paper.
Then the question is, who is the inventor of the paper clip? Is it the person who had the original idea, or the person who invented the material that works really well? Although there is still some controversy about the inventor of the paperclip, Norwegians proudly believe that their compatriot John Waller is the real inventor. During World War II, when the Nazis occupied Norway, Norwegians used paper clips as a symbol of national unity. They wore paper clips in their collars to express solidarity and opposition to the Nazi occupation.
Long after the end of World War II, the Norwegians erected a 5-meter-high paperclip-shaped stainless steel monument in the center of the capital Oslo. Today's paper clips are colorful plastics, and there are many new shapes, but none have proven to be outstanding. So, that's why, after all this time, the paper clip is still serving its purpose to this day.