Friction Paper Fasteners
Friction Paper Fastener
The first bent-wire paper fastener was patented by Samuel B. Fay in 1867. This friction fastener was originally intended primarily for attaching tickets to fabric, although the patent recognized that it could be used to attach papers together. Beginning in 1899 and for decades thereafter, the Fay design was widely advertised under many brand names for use in fastening papers. A second friction paper fastener design was patented by Erlman J. Wright in 1877. This friction fastener was advertised at that time for use in fastening newspapers.
The Gem friction paper fastener, which was never patented, eventually became by far the best selling friction paper fastener in the U.S., The Gem friction fastener has been advertised since 1894, and may have been introduced in 1892.
The bent-wire paper clips came into widespread use in offices in the late 1890s. Visit the Office Museum for a complete history of the friction paper fastener.