First Patented in 1867

Still around today, although in a little different shape than the original.

[Corinne C]

Great composition

[Diane]

This is brilliant! So ordinary but so artistic.

[Shutterbug]

Interesting info and very nice capture.

[Babs]

So interesting,

[Ann H. LeFevre]

Great mundane shot! The lone green paper clip has me recalling Chris Johnson's paper clip series.

[Diana]

Beautifully composed and captured, I had no idea they were so old!

[Kathy A]

Nice shot. I believe the first ones were square shaped.

[Joan Robillard]

It is because of these and staples that I am happy to go paperless. The number of things that went missing because things accidentally got caught under one or when two got tangled. UGH I am happy when an account asks me to go paperless.

[Susan Wakely]

Wow so long ago. So nicely presented.

[Brian]

Love the presentation. It is a long time ago. fav

[Dave]

Well composed still life

[bkb in the city]

Very cool

[Tunia McClure]

beauty in the everyday

[Phil Howcroft]

who'd have thought 1867

[Kathy]

I like the simplicity of this shot.

[katy]

@corinnec No real skill involved I just tossed them out! thanks Corinne
@eudora I think you are giving me too much credit Diane thanks bunches
@shutterbug49 I am so glad you appreciate both Debbie thanks
@onewing I am glad you think so Babs thank you
@olivetreeann thanks Ann I was thinking of him when I did this and didn't even notice the green one!
@ludwigsdiana thank you Diana l didn't either
@kjarn Thank you Kathy I didn't know that!
@joansmor LOL I am very much the oppostie of you but I understand your position, Joan
@wakelys and that was in the US I think it was even before that in the UK Thanks Sue
@briaan I am so glad you like it Brian It is hard to believe they have been around so long isn't it?
@darchibald What a nice thinbg to say Dave thanks
@bkbinthecity I really appreciate it! Thanks
@tunia Aww that is so nice of you to say Tunia
@phil_howcroft I certainly would not have
@randystreat thanks Kathy I like the simplicity of the set up! LOL

[Mary Siegle]

Thanks for the bit of trivia. 1867! I like the casual spillage (perhaps carefully arranged) and the inclusion of the one green clip.

[katy]

@mcsiegle so glad you enjoyed this one. It was definitely casual spillage, and I didn’t even see the green one until someone else mentioned it in the comments! There is also a purple one in there somewhere, which I didn’t notice until I started picking them all up

[Mary Siegle]

@grammyn Ah! I see the purple one—peeking out from under the rest way back inside the container.

[katy]

@mcsiegle It took me quite a while to find that one Mary

[Mary Siegle]

@grammyn I would definitely not have seen it if you hadn’t mentioned it.