[Image: The first paper clip was invented in 1867, and it piggy backed upon the invention of thin-gauge steel wire and the machinery to bend it in mass quantities. But getting the design right was a complicated challenge. Consider: A good clip couldn’t catch or mutilate papers, had to hold lots of papers securely, be thin (so it wouldn’t bulk up files), easily inserted, light weight (requiring little extra postage), cheap (using as little wire as possible), and tough for re-use. [The Gem clip] remains standing because no other solution is nearly as good. (via) See also: History of the Paper Clip, and my favorite, the owl clip]