The Origins and History of the Modern Stapler

Stapler are such a common item these days. We all encounter them at the office and most of us also have one for use at home. Like any other everyday object, it's easy to take them for granted and not wonder how and why they came to be so ubiquitous. That's kind of a shame because the stapler has a pretty interesting history. Here is a brief look back at its fascinating origins.

Early beginnings. Ever since paper has been around, there undoubtedly has been a need to fasten sheets together. It is believed that, way back in the Middle Ages, people accomplished this by using wax and ribbons. However, the precursor of the modem stapler seems to have originated in the 18th century France. The country's monarch, Louis XV, had a device handmade for the fastening of his personal documents and even used staples inscribed with the court's insignia.

The 19th century. Although the stapler had illustrious, royal origins, it didn't really come to be used by the public until the 19th century. In 1841, a man named Samuel Slocum received a patent for his document fastening method that consisted of threading pins through paper. Around 1866, a patent was issued to Joan Barbour for creating a bendable metal fastener, a precursor to the staples we use today. Around this same time, a paper fastener was created by the Patent Novelty Manufacturing Co. This device could only hold one staple at a time, but it could be used to fasten paper, as well as upholstery and boxes. However, the stapler itself was invented by one Charles H. Gould in 1879 and his invention was called the McGill Single-Stroke Staple Press. This particular device weighed almost three pounds and it was powerful enough to staple a couple of sheets together.

The 20th century. The word "stapler" didn't enter the American lexicon until 1901. That's when the word appeared in an issue of "Munsey's Magazine" as part of an advertisement for a paper fastening device. However, the word didn't become widely used until several years later. In 1905, the B. Jahn Manufacturing Co. issued the first stapler that could contain an entire strip of staples, which definitely made document fastening a lot easier and faster. Newer companies appeared in the 1920's and 1930's, including the Boston Wire Stitcher Co. and Swingline, which has become to best-known document fastening brand around. Swingline is credited with creating the first top-loading device, as well as creating products that have become pop culture landmarks, such as the red model in the cult classic Office Space. Electric models were invented in the 1950s, which made document fastening easier than ever.

The stapler has definitely had a long, colorful history, and in the 21st century, its place as an office product must-have is secure. From its royal origins to its modern-day popularity, this is one item that you'll never look at the same way again and even appreciate more as you fasten those important documents.

Master Lock 5400D Set Your Own Combination

The masterlock select access storage box is a great Master Lock 5400D Set Your Own Combination. I bought one for a slightly unusual purpose, in that I took it camping. For four weeks, this box was locked onto the frame of my station wagon, right next to the exhaust pipe. During that entire time, I used it several times without any problem. For the last two weeks, I found myself making hour-long treks over dirt roads, and across river beds every other day in a vehicle that was hardly designed for the task.

When I returned to civilization, I fully expected to find the box thoroughly abused. I expected the rubber case to have been melted by the exhaust pipe. I expected mud to have gummed up the combination locks. I even imagined there might be a few dents or scratches on it from the road. None of this was the case.

While my use of the box has revealed to me that it is not water tight, and the glue used to hold the rubber casing on may be a little weakened by heat or water, the worst damage I found on it were a few small scratches on the rubber casing around the lock part, where it had been attached to the frame of my car.

Recently, I managed to get a key stuck in the device somehow. Perhaps it no longer worked right because I removed the rubber casing. Maybe the long car key I put in jammed the locking mechanism somehow, or maybe I managed to accidentally reset the combination while it was open. I suspect that I reset the combination accidentally. My one complaint with this device is how easy it is to do this. Users can easily fix this by gluing or taping the reset switch in place once you've chosen a good combination.

Since I needed the key, I decided I would have to break open the device. Those of you concerned with the security of this product will be pleased to learn how hard it was to do.

As I had gotten the rubber casing off, I already knew that there were six rivets in the back. I imagined that by drilling through these, I would be able to get the lock apart. Using a bench vice, and a power drill with a metal drill bit, it took me five minutes of serious drilling to get through these rivets. When I was done drilling, nothing happened, because the rivets were set in such a way that the drill holes had gone in crooked. I ended up pounding away at the thing with a ball-pene hammer and a cold chisel for another half hour to break the rivets on the sides all the way through. This allowed me to rip off the sides of the front panel. Once that was done, I had to beat in the back of the lock so that I could get the chisel into the top, and force the locking mechanism open. The hinge was too strong for me to break at all. Once I got it out, my key was slightly twisted. I'm not sure it will still work.

All told, it took me fifty five minutes,to break into the master lock select access storage box. Fifty five minutes, using all the tools I could think of. At a private home, with it latched to a doorknob, or in an inconvenient place, it probably would have taken much longer. I don't think there are many places where the police won't get around to a criminal before they get at your keys in one of these things. I also don't think a criminal who can get at the keys any faster would be able to use them once he got them out.

Five Great Pencil Sharpeners

A good Pencil Sharpener is a must-have item for anyone who regularity uses this type of writing instrument. There are a lot to choose from, so deciding on one can be a bit of a challenge. That is why you should check out these great sharpeners from such top manufacturers as Dahle and Swingline. They are great for use at school, home, and work, and they're all well-made so you can be confident you purchased the right one. Let's take a look at these products....

1. Dahle Chubby. This is a great sharpener for creative types and younger students. The Chubby is a canister sharpener that has a colorful lid. In fact, three colors are available: red, yellow, and blue. These products are ergonomically friendly and are easy to empty and clean. The blade is made from high-quality German steel and can be replaced if it becomes dull. This product will add a bit of color to any office.
2. Dahle Metal Wedge. These handheld devices are small enough to fit in your pocket, but they still do a great job. There are two types available: the first product has a single hole that can accommodate standard pencils while the second has two holes, including one that's perfect for oversized writing utensils. As with the Chubby, the blades in these sharpeners are replaceable and honed from first-rate German steel.
3. Dahle Professional Rotary. This product is one of Dahle's best. It has an automatic cutting system that allows you to choose how sharp your pencil will be. When your pencil reaches your desired sharpness, it will spin freely in the device until you remove it, thus it won't be over-sharpened.. You can sharpen standard, oversized, and colored pencils with this device and you can remove the Solingen steel blades if you need to replace or clean them. This sharpener comes with mounting hardware but you can use it wherever you want.
4. Swingline Compact Electric. This Swingline model is handheld and provides electric sharpening wherever you go. It works quickly and quietly, and can be powered either by batteries or an AC adapter. (The adapter is included.) Each unit has a lead saver feature that ensures your pencil will be sharpened just enough. The blades are fashioned from carbon steel. These sharpeners easy to empty and they are covered by a limited two-year warranty.
5. Swingline Optima Electric. If you want one of the best electric pencil sharpeners available, the Swingline Optima is what you need. This product is capable of sharpening six different kinds of pencils, including rectangular ones, and like the Swingline Compact, it operates very quietly. This unit is protected from overheating thanks to a thermal cut-off and it won't over-sharpen your writing utensils because it has the same lead saver feature as the Compact. Finally, it's backed by a fantastic limited lifetime warranty.

To get your writing implements ready to use, pick up one of these great products today so you can start sharpening. You'll be glad you did!