Vintage office supplies still in use at workplaces worldwide
Patent applications representing technological advancements for the office.
Stapler
![](/documents/1319360/2811217/ipday2017_us195603-0_840.jpg/24952fa1-218b-ac5c-bdfd-56609817628d?version=1.1&t=1707726898747)
Henry R. Heyl filed a patent application for “improvement in devices for inserting metallic staples” in 1877.
Paper-clip
![](/documents/1319360/2811217/ipday2017_us581901-0_840.jpg/b7d6825e-5e5c-9fb1-9bdd-286ba3fe96cc?version=1.1&t=1707726911896)
Warren W. Cole filed a patent application for a “paper-clip” in 1896.
Ballpoint pen
![](/documents/1319360/2811217/ipday2017_us2390636-0_840.jpg/7eb22c0d-8df5-b094-4ad6-4bce4515cb14?version=1.1&t=1707726901016)
Laszlo Jozsef Biro filed a patent application for a “writing instrument” in 1943.
Sticky note glue
![](/documents/1319360/2811217/ipday2017_us3691140-2_840.jpg/f33ba4b1-a6b4-e1b4-146c-3dcfb00720f7?version=1.1&t=1707726906757)
Spencer Ferguson Silver filed a patent application for the adhesive agent “acrylate copolymer microspheres” in 1970.
Calculator
![](/documents/1319360/2811217/ipday2017_us3819921-1_840.jpg/05a854a5-2727-1bb8-c939-75c2160d3d3f?version=1.1&t=1707726908835)
Jack S. Kilby, Jerry D. Merryman and James H. Van Tassel filed a patent for a “miniature electronic calculator” in 1972.