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First paperclip invented
The first bent-wire paper clip was patented by Samuel B. Fay in 1867 -
Newspaper clip invented
A second paper clip design was patented by Erlman J. Wright in 1877. This clip was advertised at that time for use in fastening newspapers. -
The Norweigan paperclip
Johan Vaaler, a Norwegian inventor with a degree in electronics, science and mathematics, invented his version of the paperclip -
Paperclip patented in USA
It was a company called the Gem Manufacturing Ltd. of England who first designed the double oval shaped standard looking paperclip. This familiar and famous paperclip, was and still is referred to as the "Gem" clip. William Middlebrook, of Waterbury, Connecticut, patented a machine for making paper clips of the Gem design in 1899. The Gem paperclip was never patented. -
Improved Gem Paper Clip
This paperclip, known as the Clipper, was advertised c. 1920-1924 -
Paperclip protest
During World War II, Norwegians were prohibited from wearing any buttons with the likeness or initials of their king on them. In protest they started wearing paperclips, because paperclips were a Norwegian invention whose original function was to bind together. This was a protest against the Nazi occupation and wearing a paperclip could have gotten you arrested.
