Johan Vaaler patents the paperclip (1899–1901)

Johan Vaaler, a Norwegian inventor and patent clerk, designed a steel wire binding for paper around 1899. He applied for patents in Germany and the United States in 1900 and 1901, respectively. Although often credited as the inventor of the modern paperclip, his design was less functional than existing models, and his patents expired quietly.

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Background and detail

Background. Johan Vaaler (1866–1910) was a Norwegian inventor and patent clerk working in Kristiania. Around 1899, he designed a steel wire binding to hold paper together. While often erroneously identified as the inventor of the common paperclip, his design was less functional than existing models. Patent authorities at the time were liberal, rewarding marginal modifications, which allowed Vaaler to secure patents abroad despite prior inventions.

Patent Process. Vaaler applied for a German patent on November 12, 1900, which was granted on June 6, 1901. He also filed for a United States patent on January 9, 1901. His success in obtaining patents abroad occurred despite the existence of more useful paper clips, as authorities rewarded any marginal modification of existing inventions. His patents eventually expired quietly.

Historical Legacy. Norwegian dictionaries since the 1950s have mentioned Vaaler as the inventor of the paperclip, a myth that spread internationally. This claim originated from an engineer at the Norwegian national patent agency who visited Germany in the 1920s. The celebration of this alleged origin culminated in 1999, marking one hundred years after Vaaler submitted his application for a German patent.

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