National Paper Clip Day
Learn more about the paper clip's interesting history on #NationalPaperClipDay
29 May is National Paper Clip Day and if you have just rolled your eyes at the idea of a bent little piece of metal having its own holiday, you need to keep reading.
Have you ever worked in an office? If not, it is understandable that you might not get the importance of National Paper Clip Day, but don’t worry, all will be explained to you. If you are an office worker, you will understand exactly why this day is necessary, but let’s get on with Paper Clip Day.
The first patent for the bent wire paper clip was awarded to the United States’ Samuel B Fay in 1867. Originally, the paper clip was designed to attach tickets to fabric, although the patent recognised that it could be used to attach papers to each other. However, that model paper clip did not resemble the one we know today all that much, and it is believed that the paper clip we know today was invented by Johan Vaaler, a Norwegian inventor.
During World War II, the paper clip was used as a symbol of the Norwegian resistance to the Nazi German occupation. Meant to show solidarity with other Norwegians during those difficult times, paper clips were worn by many people in their coat lapels. The Nazis saw this show of solidarity as a threat, and paper clips were soon banned. They even threatened those who wore them with severe punishment. To remind people about the role this tiny object played in the nation’s history, an enormous paper clip, that is over one meter wide and five metres tall, was erected in Sandvika, Norway.
The first National Paper Clip Day was celebrated in 2015, and it is now observed annually.
Everyone knows that paper clips are used to hold papers together, but, did you know how many other things can be done with them? This Paper Clip Day, take a little time and find out just how many other things they can be used for. Here are a few examples of paper clip uses:
• as emergency key chains (they’re really built almost the same as a normal key chain!)
• as emergency zipper tabs (few things are more irritating than being locked inside your jacket!)
• as DIY fish hooks (because we sometimes run out of authorised equipment, and the fish won’t care as long as there’s a worm!)
• as emergency hair barrettes (sometimes you just need to get that hair out of your face!)
• to hang ornaments whose little stringy thingies have torn (colored paper clips could actually add some color to the tree!)
• as lottery ticket scratchers (for those times when you just got your nails done and don’t want all that gray gunk under them!)
• to unclog narrow holes, like spray can nozzles, salt and pepper shakers, glue bottle tips, etc.
This is just a small list of all the things you can do with paper clips. There are lots more, so feel free to come up with some of your own too! Paper clips are one of the most versatile little bits of metal ever made, so make sure to celebrate National Paper Clip Day.
Use #NationalPaperClipDay to post on social media.
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