Podcast Summary: Stuff You Should Know – "Short Stuff: Paperclips"

Release Date: July 23, 2025

Introduction

In the "Short Stuff: Paperclips" episode of Stuff You Should Know, hosts Josh Clark and Jerry Bryant delve into the seemingly mundane yet surprisingly intricate history and design of the paperclip. Amidst light-hearted banter and engaging discussions, they explore the evolution, variants, and cultural significance of this everyday office staple.

The Complex History of the Paperclip

Josh begins by expressing his initial assumption that the history of the paperclip would be straightforward. However, he soon discovers that the narrative is far more convoluted, with numerous inventors contributing to its development over time.

Josh Clark [01:10]: "I was thrilled and delighted to find that the history of the paperclip is pretty convoluted. There's a lot of bad information out there, and we're going to shuffle it all into place into a coherent fact-based, conceptually amazing short stuff."

Early Beginnings:

• Medieval Ribbon Techniques: Before the invention of the metal paperclip, people used ribbons to bind papers by making slits in the top corners of pages—an elegant method that persisted for centuries.

• 19th Century Innovations: The late 1800s marked a pivotal period with the advent of mass-produced wire, primarily used for making needles. Inventors began experimenting with wire to create paper-binding solutions.

Key Inventors:

1. Samuel B. Fay (1867):

   • Contribution: Patented one of the first bent wire paperclips.
   • Design: Resembled lapel pins, similar to contemporary awareness pins.
   • Legacy: Often referred to as the "Fay paperclip."

2. Earlman J. Wright (1877):

   • Contribution: Secured a patent for improvements on Fay’s design.
   • Design Enhancements: Introduced modifications that refined the functionality and aesthetics of the paperclip.

3. Johan Vaaler (1899-1901):

   • Contribution: Developed the Gem paperclip, the design most recognized today.
   • Design Features: A double-looped structure without the smaller oval inside, differing slightly from modern iterations.
   • Patenting Challenges: Unable to secure a patent in Norway, Vaaler obtained patents in Germany and the United States, leading to his widespread recognition as the paperclip's inventor.

Jerry Bryant [03:54]: "He made a paperclip that didn't have the second smaller oval inside the larger oval. It was just the one larger outer oval."

Clarifying Misconceptions:

Despite Johan Vaaler’s significant contributions, the hosts highlight that earlier versions existed, particularly in the United States with inventors like Fay and Wright. This revelation might surprise Norwegian listeners, for whom Vaaler is a national hero.

Design Variations and Innovations

The Gem Paperclip:

• Dominance: The Gem paperclip became the standard due to its simple yet effective design, featuring two interconnected ovals.
• Manufacturing Efficiency: William Middlebrook’s patent focused on the machine for producing Gem clips, allowing for mass production without royalty fees, thus cementing its global prevalence.

Josh Clark [07:06]: "You don't have to pay any royalties. You never had to pay any royalties with them. So the paperclip we think of with the two ovals one inside of the other, that's the Gem paperclip."

Alternative Designs:

1. Gothic Clips:

   • Design: Features inverted angles to prevent the wire ends from poking through the paper.
   • Usage: Preferred by archivists for binding important documents without causing damage.
   • Unique Name Origin: Named for its angular, almost "gothic" appearance.

2. Regal Paperclips:

   • Design: Rectangular with central dangling pieces, resembling pool cue balls on strings.
   • Reception: Despite improvements, these designs haven’t gained widespread popularity.

3. Spiral and Other Variants:

   • Spiral Clips: Often viewed unfavorably by enthusiasts who prefer traditional styles.
   • Functionality: While some designs offer enhanced grip or aesthetics, they frequently fall short in practicality.

Josh Clark [14:21]: "They just haven't caught on. Like the Gem clip, there's one called the Gothic clip…"

Cultural Significance and Symbolism

Symbol of Resistance:

During World War II, in Nazi-occupied Norway, the paperclip transcended its utilitarian purpose to become a symbol of unity and resistance against oppression. Wearing paperclips subtly signified solidarity and the collective will to oppose tyranny.

Jerry Bryant [16:04]: "During Nazi occupation there in World War II, Norwegian citizens wore paperclips as sort of a sign of like unity and resistance."

Public Recognition:

• Monument in Oslo: A 23-foot (7-meter) statue of a paperclip stands outside the BI Business School in Oslo, commemorating Vaaler’s contribution. Interestingly, it represents a Gem clip with a squared-off bottom rather than Vaaler’s original design.

Josh Clark [16:43]: "There's also a 23 foot statue, 7 meters for our friends outside of the US and Liberia of a paperclip in honor of Voller. It's at the BI Business School in Oslo."

Media and Popular Culture:

The hosts briefly touch upon the popular 1980s cartoon Jem and the Holograms, where Britta Phillips voices a character named Jem. This anecdote serves as a light-hearted detour, showcasing the paperclip’s presence in various facets of culture.

Modern Uses and Practical Issues

Everyday Functionality:

• Binding Capacity: A standard paperclip, approximately an inch in size, can hold about 20 sheets of regular paper effectively.

• Global Production: Annually, around 20 billion paperclips are manufactured worldwide, with American usage accounting for 11 billion of these.

Versatility Beyond Binding:

Josh and Jerry reminisce about creative uses of paperclips:

• Reset Buttons: Unfolded paperclips serve as tools to press tiny reset buttons on electronic devices.

• Childhood Games: Bending paperclips to create catapults or popping challenges during elementary school.

Jerry Bryant [10:11]: "Or how about game night? Wayfair's got cornhole croquet and string lights to set the scene."

Design Flaws and User Feedback:

• Safety Concerns: The pointed ends of traditional paperclips pose risks of poking eyes or causing minor injuries.

• Durability Issues: Overloading a paperclip can lead to stretching or breaking, rendering it ineffective.

• Messiness: Tangled paperclips and rust caused by moisture can be frustrating and damaging to important documents.

Josh Clark [12:56]: "And then also like eventually, if you stuff too many sheets of paper in there and they stretch out too wide or you make a bear trap out of one, it's not going to hold any papers from that point on."

Consumer Feedback and Recommendations:

Despite common challenges, companies manufacturing paperclips receive frequent suggestions for improvements, though these ideas often encounter resistance or rejections.

Jerry Bryant [13:20]: "Imagine being a person who's like, I've got it. I just figured out how to keep people from poking themselves in the eye with the Gem paperclip."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the enduring presence and continued relevance of the paperclip. Despite its simple design and widespread use, the paperclip remains a subject of innovation and cultural significance. Josh and Jerry underscore that even the most ordinary objects harbor rich histories and intricate designs worthy of exploration.

Josh Clark [17:08]: "We don't have anything more to say about paperclips, which means that Short Stuff is out."

Notable Quotes

• Josh Clark [01:10]: "The history of the paperclip is pretty convoluted. There's a lot of bad information out there..."

• Jerry Bryant [03:54]: "He made a paperclip that didn't have the second smaller oval inside the larger oval."

• Josh Clark [07:06]: "So the paperclip we think of with the two ovals one inside of the other, that's the Gem paperclip."

• Jerry Bryant [16:04]: "During Nazi occupation there in World War II, Norwegian citizens wore paperclips as sort of a sign of like unity and resistance."

Final Thoughts

"Short Stuff: Paperclips" serves as a testament to Stuff You Should Know’s ability to transform everyday objects into fascinating subjects of discussion. Through thorough research and engaging dialogue, Josh and Jerry illuminate the paperclip’s multifaceted history, design evolution, and cultural impact, offering listeners newfound appreciation for this ubiquitous office tool.