Johan Vaaler, a Norwegian inventor with degrees in electronics, science and mathematics, invented the paper clip in 1899. He received a patent for this from Germany and years later, he received a US patent in 1901, a patent for the abstract that can be folded into a rectangular ring triangular or otherwise.

During World War II during the Nazi occupation, the paper clip became a symbol of Norwegian nationalism. They are prohibited from wearing buttons printed with the initials of the Norwegian king; they attached paper clips to their labels in a show of solidarity and opposition to the occupation. During World War II, carrying a clipboard was often reason enough to get arrested. With that, it was even often a good reason for one to be arrested or imprisoned.

In 1904, the Cushman & Denison Company registered a trademark on the name. Although Johann Valer’s paper clip innovation is used all over the world today, he never made much money from it. Imitators would get away with Valer’s patent, as his pattern is very simple and easy to imitate. As a result, he never earned the royalties that could have been his. However, Valer has been called as the inventor by many today, as it is the basic version of him that has been used all over the world today. And Norwegians have proudly embraced his compatriot, Johan Vaaler, as the true inventor ever since.

Since then, the innovation of paper clips started where people have been repeatedly reinventing themselves to make it easier to use. The most successful designs are the “Gem” with a double oval shape. The original gem type proved to be the most practical and the most popular among all other types. Its qualities of ease of use, breakage-free grip, and tangle-free storage have been difficult to improve upon later. Therefore, it is obvious that this innovation will continue in momentum for years to come.