The humble paper clip

I saw somewhere that Shopify wanted their prospective employees to write a blog about four uses for  a paper clip and I never could resist a challenge. So here goes!

One thing that has always fascinated me about the humble paper clip is its design immutability for over a century. While the world  around it changed dramatically the paper clip has remained impervious to modification. Who would have thought that a straight piece of wire bent in a certain uniform fashion would prove to be so useful. It is also a triumph of simplicity and functionality in that the paper clip is completely devoid of ornamentation and bloat but succeeds admirably in its primary task. Software designers could learn a thing or two from this, namely that the best products are those that are simple and clean and concentrate on on providing utility to its users.

 For those sad people who may want to find out more, click here for more information.

Now on to those things that you can used a paper clip for.

• Obviously, the paper clip's primary use is that it holds sheaves of paper together and in doing so it does 'exactly what it says on the tin'.
• You can straighten it and use it to clean that niggling and difficult to reach dirt from under you fingernails.
• Once again a straightened clip can be use to reset mobile phones and electronic watches that have those tiny holes for resetting purposes. I myself have lost all data on a least three devices in this way. Thanks a lot, paper clip.
• People tell me that a paper clip can be used for picking certain types of locks, but I was not fortunate enough to have learned such a lucrative and rewarding trade so I cannot vouch for this.

Of course, what also interests me are some of the things that you shouldn't use a paper clip for. These include:

• Poking your ear to clear ear wax.
• Poking your nose to... Ouch!

Some time later...

Have just returned from the hospital. Long lines in the deviated septum department. It occurs to me that I should leave any other dangerous uses for paper clips to the imagination of the reader.