Ode to the Paperclip

Humble yet noble paperclip, humanity owes you its thanks.

Simple modest metal genius.

Approachable and unassuming, unlike its aggressive rebel cousin, the staple.

Elegant design, straightforward function, no unnecessary elements and frills for this workhorse.

Single metal wire bent in simple loops….optimizing strength and flexibility, minimizing waste. You’re welcome, Earth!

Practical looped shape securely fastens papers without damage.

Rounded ends prevent paper punctures and tears.

Uncomplicated, effective. The Tom Hanks of paper tools.

Holds papers together but so much more…the poor man’s bookmark, zipper pull, keyring, a common part to a deviously and ironically complex Rube Goldberg machine.

Small, inexpensive, widely available, easy to manufacture, widely distributed, readily accessible, ubiquitous. The world is paperclip’s oyster.

Mundane, yet remarkable; reminds us all the wisdom that effective solutions need not be complex. If paperclips were world leaders, we’d have global longstanding peace and we’d end world hunger.

Less is more.

Paperclip, we worship at your looped feet, and we thank you.