A Shrine to the Paperclip
The World's Most Useless FAQ
Q: What was Clippy's primary function?
A: To unexpectedly appear and distract you from your work.
Q: How do I get Clippy on my modern computer?
A: You can't. It's for the best.
Q: Did anyone actually find Clippy helpful?
A: Perhaps
Q: Who invented the paperclip?
A: While a Norwegian named Johan Vaaler patented a design in 1899, the most common paperclip, the Gem, was likely created by The Gem Manufacturing Company around the same time and was never patented.
Q: Were paperclips used as a symbol of resistance?
A: Yes! During World War II, Norwegians wore them to symbolize unity against the Nazi occupation.
Q: What are other uses for a paperclip?
A: Resetting electronics, cleaning small spaces, and even as a makeshift antenna for old radios. Basically, anything except holding papers together.
Q: What is the longest paperclip chain ever made?
A: In 2011, a group in Germany (Berlin) , created a paperclip chain that was over 20 miles long!
Q: What was the original purpose of the paperclip?
A: The first patented paperclip, by Samuel B. Fay in 1867, was actually intended for fastening tickets to fabric, not for paper.
Q: What did people use before paperclips?
A: Before the modern paperclip, people used ribbons, string, or even straight pins to hold papers together, which often damaged the documents.
Q: Does Microsoft Office's Clippy have a full name?
A: Yes! His full name is "Clippit." He first appeared in Office 97.
Q: Is it true that there's a giant paperclip sculpture?
A: Yes, in Oslo, Norway, there is a giant paperclip sculpture that stands over 23 feet (7 meters) tall. It was created to honor Johan Vaaler, who for a long time was mistakenly considered the inventor of the modern paperclip.
Q: Has a paperclip ever been used for trading up?
A: Yes! In 2005, a Canadian blogger named Kyle MacDonald famously traded one red paperclip for progressively more valuable items until he eventually traded for a house.
