Paper clips have been used to fasten papers since the 13th century, though many early versions used sewing pins. The modern paper clip design was patented in the late 19th century by several inventors including George McGill. A middle school teacher had students collect over 6 million paper clips to represent Jews killed in the Holocaust, resulting in a documentary and book about the project. The common paper clip design was invented by William Middlebrook and is still the best-selling style in the US today under the name "Gem clip".

1. Paper ClipsA common item with an uncommon story

2. Early Paper FastenersFastening papers has been found as early as the 13th centuryBefore paper clips, most people used sewing pins to fasten papersInventor John Ireland Howe is invented a machine to mass produce these pins in 1835

3. Early Paper ClipsThere are over 50 patents for devices that claim to “fasten papers together”The first paper clips showed up in the 1860sThere are three people commonly credited for inventing the paper clip

4. George McGillOne of the most know inventors of paper clips. Due largely to the fact that he was granted 15 different patents from 1888 to 1903.His patent from 1903 is similar to the common paper clip today. However, he doesn’t receive credit inventing it because that design had already been invented and patented years earlier.

14. Paper Clips ProjectLinda Hooper, a middle school teacher in Whitewell, TN, wanted her students to truly understand how vast the number of Jews executed during the Holocaust was.How did she do it?

15. Paper ClipsProduced by Joe FabShown for the first time in 2003 in WhitewellOfficially released in 2004Won many awards at various film festivals

16. Six Million Paper ClipsWritten by Peter Schroeder and Dagmar Schroeder- HildebrandCopyrighted in 2004

17. ClippitIntroduced in Microsoft Office 97Nicknamed “Clippy”Meant to provide help and tips for Microsoft Office usersSadly, Clippy was laid to rest after Microsoft Office 2004

18. OriginJohan Vaaler is commonly credited with inventing the paper clip.However, William Middlebrook created the common paper clip.Cushman and Dennison bought Middlebrook’s patent in 1899 and began selling it as the “Gem clip.”The Gem clip is the best selling paper clip in the US.

19. One Red Paper ClipOn July 14, 2005, Kyle MacDonald traded a red paper clip for a fish shaped pen.This began a year long journey during which MacDonald eventually bartered his way up to a house.

20. Cultural ImpactMiddle school students collected well over 6 million paper clips to represent the 6 million executed during the Holocaust in what was called the “Paper Clips Project.”This resulted in a documentary and a book about the project.Clippit, or “Clippy” was a Microsoft Office program that helped users become familiar with Office.