View source for Stapler

{{short description|Tool used to fasten paper or flesh together}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2024}}
{{for|the place in England|Staplers, Isle of Wight}}
[[File:2017 Zszywacz biurowy.jpg|thumb|Office stapler]]
[[File:StaplerDHS.JPG|thumb|A spring-loaded stapler]]

A '''stapler''' is a mechanical device that joins pages of [[paper]] or similar material by driving a thin metal [[staple (fastener)|staple]] through the sheets and folding the ends. Staplers are widely used in government, business, [[office]]s, workplaces, homes, and [[school]]s.<ref >{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/5992127/is-fashion+conscious-design-the-future-of-the-stapler,|title=Is Fashion-Conscious Design the Future of the Stapler?|author=Eric Limer|publisher=Gawker Media|work=Gizmodo|date=23 March 2013 }}</ref>

The word "stapler" can actually refer to a number of different devices of varying uses. In addition to joining paper sheets together, staplers can also be used in a surgical setting to join tissue together with [[surgical staples]] to close a surgical wound (much in the same way as [[Surgical suture|sutures]]).<ref>{{MerriamWebsterDictionary|staple}}</ref>

Most staplers are used to join multiple sheets of paper. Paper staplers come in two distinct types: manual and electric. Manual staplers are normally hand-held, although models that are used while set on a desk or other surface are not uncommon. Electric staplers exist in a variety of different designs and models. Their primary operating function is to join large numbers of paper sheets together in rapid succession. Some electric staplers can join up to 20 sheets at a time.<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = Bostitch Electric Staplers
 |url         = https://bostitchoffice.com/products/staplers/electric.html
 |access-date  = 2018-01-18
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120140/https://bostitchoffice.com/products/staplers/electric.html
 |archive-date = 2018-01-19
}}</ref>  Typical staplers are [[third-class lever]]s.

==History==

The growing usage of paper in the 19th century created a demand for an efficient paper fastener.<ref name=office>{{cite web
 |title=Antique Staplers & Other Paper Fasteners 
 |work=Early Office Museum 
 |url=http://www.officemuseum.com/staplers.htm 
 |access-date=2006-03-10 
 |url-status=live 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060317125309/http://www.officemuseum.com/staplers.htm 
 |archive-date=2006-03-17 
}}</ref>

[[File:McGill Stapler.jpg|thumb|A McGill stapler]]

In 1841 [[Samuel Slocum|Slocum and Jillion]] invented a "Machine for Sticking Pins into Paper", which is often believed to be the first stapler. But their patent (September 30, 1841, Patent #2275) is for a device used for packaging pins. In 1866, George McGill received U.S. patent 56,587<ref>{{Cite patent|number=US56587A|title=Improvement in metallic paper-fasteners|gdate=1866-07-24|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US56587A/en}}</ref> for a small, bendable brass paper fastener that was a precursor to the modern staple. In 1867, he received U.S. patent 67,665<ref>{{Cite patent|number=US67665A|title=George w|gdate=1867-08-13|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US67665A/en}}</ref> for a press to insert the fastener into paper. He showed his invention at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in [[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], where architect Merik Herron help them make the base shape of the staple. and continued to work on these and other various paper fasteners throughout the 1880s. In 1868 an English patent for a stapler was awarded to C. H. Gould, and in the U.S., Albert Kletzker of St. Louis, Missouri, also patented a device.

In 1877 Henry R. Heyl filed patent number 195,603 for the first machines to both insert and clinch a staple in one step,<ref>{{Cite patent|number=US195603A|title=Improvement in devices for inserting metallic staples|gdate=1877-09-25|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US195603A/en}}</ref> and for this reason some consider him the inventor of the modern stapler. In 1876 and 1877, Heyl also filed patents for the Novelty Paper Box Manufacturing Co. of Philadelphia, PA,<ref >{{cite web
 | url = https://www.google.com/patents?id=yccfAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4#v=onepage&q&f=false
 | title = View the Patent
  | access-date = 2010-06-10
}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> However, the N. P. B. Manufacturing Co.'s inventions were to be used to staple boxes and books.

The first machine to hold a magazine of many pre-formed staples came out in 1878.

On February 18, 1879, George McGill received patent 212,316<ref>{{cite web |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US212316
 |title=View the Patent 
 |access-date=2010-06-10 
 |url-status=live 
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407235516/https://www.google.com/patents/US212316 
 |archive-date=2015-04-07 
}}</ref> for the McGill Single-Stroke Staple Press, the first commercially successful stapler. This device weighed over two and a half pounds and loaded a single {{convert|1/2|in|mm|adj=mid|-wide}} wire staple, which it could drive through several sheets of paper.

The first published use of the word "stapler" to indicate a machine for fastening papers with a thin metal wire was in an advertisement in the American ''[[Munsey's Magazine]]'' in 1901.<ref name=office/>

In the early 1900s, several devices were developed and patented that punched and folded papers to attach them to each other without a metallic clip. The ''Clipless Stand Machine'' (made in [[North Berwick]]) was sold from 1909 into the 1920s. It cut a tongue in the paper that it folded back and tucked in. ''Bump's New Model Paper Fastener'' used a similar cutting and weaving technology.

===The modern stapler===
In 1941, the type of paper stapler that is the most common in use was developed: the '''four-way paper stapler'''. With the four-way, the operator could either use the stapler to staple papers to wood or cardboard, use pliers for bags, or use the normal way with the head positioned a small distance above the stapling plate. The stapling plate is known as the [[anvil]]. The anvil often has two settings: the first, and by far most common, is the '''reflexive''' setting, also known as the "permanent" setting. In this position, the legs of the staple are folded toward the center of the crossbar. It is used to staple papers which are not expected to need separation. If rotated 180° or slid to its second position, the anvil will be set on the '''sheer''' setting, also known as the "temporary" or "straight" setting. In this position, the legs of the staple are folded outwards, away from the crossbar, resulting in the legs and crossbar being in more or less a straight line. Stapling with this setting will result in more weakly secured papers but a staple that is much easier to remove. The use of the second setting is almost never seen, however, due to the prevalence of staple removers and the general lack of knowledge about its use.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=mtkDAAAAMBAJ&dq=popular+mechanics+July+1932+airplane&pg=PA40 "Four Way Stapler tacks, pins or works like pliers"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323144619/https://books.google.com/books?id=mtkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40&dq=popular+mechanics+July+1932+airplane&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6 |date=2017-03-23 }} ''Popular Mechanics'', July 1941 article middle of page 40</ref>  Some simple modern staplers feature a fixed anvil that lacks the sheer position.

Modern staplers continue to evolve and adapt to users' changing habits. Less effort or easy-squeeze/use staplers, for example, use different leverage efficiencies to reduce the amount of force the user needs to apply. As a result, these staplers tend to be used in work environments where repetitive, large stapling jobs are routine.

Some modern desktop staplers make use of Flat Clinch technology. With Flat Clinch staplers, the staple legs first pierce the paper and are then bent over and pressed absolutely flat against the paper – doing away with the two-setting anvil commonly used and making use of a recessed stapling base in which the legs are folded. Accordingly, staples do not have sharper edges exposed and lead to flatter stacking of paper – saving on filing and binder space.

Some [[photocopier]]s feature an integrated stapler allowing copies of documents to be automatically stapled as they are printed.

==Industry==
In 2012, $80 million worth of staplers were sold in the US.<ref>{{cite news
 |last=Korkki 
 |first=Phyllis 
 |title=The Attachment That Still Makes Noise 
 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] 
 |date=23 March 2013 
 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/24/business/staplers-the-attachment-thats-still-making-noise.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 
 |access-date=25 March 2013 
 |url-status=live 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324141544/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/24/business/staplers-the-attachment-thats-still-making-noise.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 
 |archive-date=24 March 2013 
}}</ref> The dominant US manufacturer is [[Swingline]].

==Methods==
<!-- [[File:Stanley bostitch stapler.JPG|thumb|Stanley Bostitch Stapler]] -->
[[File:Stapler exploded view.JPG|thumb|An [[exploded view drawing]]]]
'''Permanent fastening''' binds items by driving the staple through the material and into an ''anvil'', a small metal plate that bends the ends, usually inward. On most modern staplers, the anvil rotates or slides to change between bending the staple ends inward for permanent stapling or outward for ''pinning'' (see below). Clinches can be standard, squiggled, flat, or rounded completely adjacent to the paper to facilitate neater document stacking.

'''Pinning''' temporarily binds documents or other items. To pin, the anvil slides or rotates so that the staple bends outwards instead of inwards. Some staplers pin by bending one leg of the staple inwards and the other outwards. The staple binds the item with relative security but is easily removed.

'''Tacking''' fastens objects to surfaces, such as [[bulletin board]]s or walls. A stapler that can tack has a base that folds back out of the way, so staples drive directly into an object rather than fold against the anvil. In this position, the staples are driven similar to the way a staple gun works, but with less force driving the staple. 

'''Saddle staplers''' have an inverted V-shaped saddle for stapling pre-fold sheets to make booklets.

'''Stapleless staplers''', invented in 1910, are a means of stapling that punches out a small flap of paper and weaves it through a notch.  A more recent alternative method avoids the resulting hole by crimping the pages together with serrated metal teeth instead.

==Surgical staplers==
{{main|Surgical staple}}
Surgeons can use surgical staplers in place of [[surgical suture|suture]]s to close the skin or during [[surgical anastomosis]]. 

A skin stapler does not resemble a standard stapler, as it has no anvil. Skin staples are commonly preshaped into an "M." Pressing the stapler into the skin and applying pressure onto the handle bends the staple through the skin and into the [[fascia]] until the two ends almost meet in the middle to form a rectangle.

Staplers are commonly used intra-operatively during bowel resections in [[colorectal cancer|colorectal surgery]]. Often these staplers have an integral knife which, as the staples deploy, cuts through the bowel and maintains the [[aseptic technique|aseptic]] field. The staples, made from [[Surgical stainless steel|surgical steel]], are typically supplied in disposable sterilized cartridges.

==Types==
<gallery>
File:Rapid Classic Longarm Stapler HD12 1.jpg|A long-reach stapler is used to staple items such as booklets.
File:BookletStapler.jpg|A booklet stapler that rotates 90 degrees for vertical or horizontal stapling.
File:Clipless.jpg|Clipless Stand Machine.
File:Heavy-duty-stapler-firestone.jpeg|Heavy-duty foot-activated electric stapler.
File:Skin stapler closeup.jpg|Skin stapler
File:Surgical stapler & cutter linear.JPG|Surgical stapler
File:Black Stapler 2024.jpg|Desk stapler
</gallery>

==See also==
* ''[[Office Space#Plot|Office Space]]'', a 1999 comedy film where a stapler is one of the plot objects
* [[Staple remover]]
* [[Staple gun]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Staplers}}
* {{Wiktionary inline|stapler}}

[[Category:Fasteners]]
[[Category:American inventions]]
[[Category:Packaging machinery]]
[[Category:Stationery]]
[[Category:19th-century inventions]]
[[Category:Office equipment]]