Stapler of the Week Archive- MUJI stapler

MUJI stapler plastic and metal closed (top) and open (bottom)

Building on last week's staplers in Japan connection, here's a neat little compact fastener from MUJI. When not in use, a slight adjustment enables it to become even more compact as seen in the top illustration above. The MUJI "basic principle is to develop new simple products at reasonable prices by making the best use of materials while considering environmental issues." Now that's a pretty good principle, saving the environment and such with good design.

My wife was familiar with MUJI long before I was keen on office supplies. She first bought MUJI products in the basement of Selfridges & Co in London and then later shopped at one of the many the MUJI stores. I only mention this because a store is set to open in New York City this fall. I may acquire some more MUJI myself.

This particular example was a gift to the Stapler of the Week from one Aki Shibata, a MUJI disciple from Japan to Minnesota. Just a reminder...donate a stapler to the collection and you may get a mention.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, September 24, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive-Hotchkiss No. 54

Hotchkiss No. 54 patent Dec 4, 1934 chrome finish

This specific stapler's design can be traced to one Fridolin Polzer through patent drawings provided by Old Staplers.com. It's also the unadorned version of a plier stapler in the modernism collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. I've been looking for one ever since I saw the MIA's example. It's movement is refined and concealed within its case. The staples are smaller than those of the Swingline "Tot" 50. Truly, it was meant to be ornamented and used by delicate hands.

In researching this stapler, I learned some interesting details about the Hotchkiss Company. Due to a bit of marketing genius by E.H. Hotchkiss, in Japan and Korea the word for stapler is Hotchikisu, according to Curtis Scaglione's Stapler Exchange. Apparently Hotchkiss sent a shipment of fasteners there and as they were the first fasteners the Japanese had ever seen, they naturally referred to them (and all that followed) by the Hotchkiss name.

Also, there's a question if there is any connections between the Hotchkiss stapler and the Hotchkiss machine gun used in WWI. Jim Breen, an Austrailian IT researcher, did a bit of digging here but couldn't find a definite connection, aside from the fact both families came from Connecticut.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, September 16, 2007

Stapler of the Week Archive- Bump & Clipless Paper Fasteners

Bump Paper Fastener Patent Jul 21, 1914 black metal finish

Clipless Paper Fastener Patent August 2, 1910 chrome metal finish

These paper fasteners are the most recent additions to my collection. I first referenced these fasteners in the Stapler of the Week entry for the Chadwick Stapleless Stapler. As stated before, I have been fascinated by the stapleless fastener ever since I stumbled upon their existence. Whether they were created to conserve staples or just to compete with the stapler industry, they did not catch on the way one might think they should. Perhaps the fact that the process was a far less reversible than stapling is behind it not being a common household item. These two hand-held examples were also accompanied by desktop models which resembled staplers of the time.

The process by which the paper is fastened is I think exactly the same. It is more visible on the Clipless model. One can see what appears to be a smaller punch with an eye like a needle and then a larger chisel shaped punch. As you can guess, the larger punch creates the tab and the smaller punch the hole which the tab slips in. When the fastener is fully depressed, the tab is slipped into the eye of the smaller punch. As the fastener is released and the punches withdraw from the paper, the tab is pulled through, fastening the paper together.


Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, September 10, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Arrow P66 Plier Stapler

Arrow P66 Plier Stapler Chrome and Red Finish

I had always associated Arrow with tacker/staple guns. In college, when I was starting to stretch my own canvases, I went straight to Menards and bought an Arrow A-T50. At the time, I was of the opinion that everything had to be heavy duty. Since then, I've come to appreciate the old adage that less is more. The P66 fits in the less category. It lives up to its description as a "small convenient mini plier type stapler with a two tone finish that fits in your pocket." That perhaps isn't the best product catch phrase, but I think it could get stuck in your head if you put it to the right tune.

This stapler was a gift to the Stapler of the Week from John Anderson, friend extraordinare.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, July 17, 2007

Stapler of the Week Archive-Swingline Speed Stapler

Swingline Speed Staper No 4 flat black finish

This is another stapler on loan from the Jack Pavlik collection. A similar Swingline model was featured in the Stapler of the Week on March 22, 2007. A similar finish can be found on a 1938 Swingline Speed Stapler No 3 featured by the Early Office Museum. I think you can find out a lot by looking at variations in paint and materials. What can I discern from the comparison of these two staplers? The design of the stapler didn't really change but the finish does. This flat black finish can also be found on typewriters and other office items (some of which I own) of the same era. The green version of the Speed Stapler No 4 seems to be a later version. The plastic has changed from black bakelite to a much glossier more refined plastic with the Swingline name inset into the top. In describing the green stapler, I made references to a WWII period drama we had been watching and I can only imagine the change in color perhaps references this event. Perhaps they had a few cans of green paint left over after the dust settled and thought, "Let's use it up on these staplers."

Excerpt from Stapler of the Week July 7, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Hotchkiss No 1

Hotchkiss No 1 age-patinated cast metal

The Hotchkiss No 1 is the first strip stapler I have seen in person. Instead of the fine wire staple strips we load into today's modern stapler, the No 1 used a strip that had been punched and formed from a flat strip of metal. The resulting staple was much more substantial than our modern day staple. The Hotchkiss No 1 was also sold with a tail (as in this example from the early office museum), which I imagine allowed for longer strips of staples to be used. Without having seen one operate, I cannot be sure.

This stapler was on loan to me from the Jack Pavlik collection. We had a great conversation about stapler and he lent me a few examples to document for the Stapler of the Week.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, June 29, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive-Markwell HANDI-CLIP

Markwell RX HANDI-CLIP Chrome Finish

Another beautiful plier stapler, the Markwell RX HANDI-CLIP wins for compactness. It nestles directly in the palm of one's hand and is easily concealable...if one needed to conceal a stapler. As the STAPLEMASTER featured on May 30, 2007 used RF staples, the HANDI-CLIP requires Markwell's brand RX staples. Markwell followed the classic company store strategy, creating a product which you will need to purchase exclusive brand accessories to use. Markwell continues to provide replacement staples for this and several other antique models, including Neva Clog.

Excerpt from Stapler of the Week, June 28, 2007