Johan Vaaler Norwegian clerk and inventor Date of Birth: 15.03.1866 Country: Norway

1. Johan Vaaler: The (Alleged) Inventor of the Paperclip
2. Early Life and Education
3. The Paperclip Patent
4. The 'Gem' Paperclip
5. International Disappointment
6. The 'Gem' Legacy
7. The Paperclip as a Symbol
8. The True Inventor

Johan Vaaler: The (Alleged) Inventor of the Paperclip

Johan Vaaler was a Norwegian clerk and inventor who is widely, but perhaps erroneously, credited with inventing the paperclip.

Early Life and Education

Vaaler was born on a farm in Aurskog, Norway. From an early age, he exhibited a brilliant mind and excelled in science. He later pursued higher education, earning several academic degrees.

The Paperclip Patent

Vaaler's most famous creation is undoubtedly the paperclip. He developed his version in 1899 and filed for a German patent that same year. He subsequently obtained a patent in the United States, despite the fact that similar paperclip designs had been patented in the U.S. since 1867. Most notably, the 'Gem' paperclip, which closely resembled Vaaler's model, was already in widespread use in Britain.

The 'Gem' Paperclip

Vaaler's paperclip design lacked the double loop found in most modern paperclips, making it less practical. It was prone to breakage and could easily damage paper. It is unclear why Vaaler chose to patent his invention abroad, especially given his knowledge of the Norwegian patent system from his work in a patent office.

International Disappointment

Vaaler's patent was granted largely due to the relatively lax patent laws of the time. However, his hopes of international success were dashed when he discovered the 'Gem' paperclip. Realizing that his invention was inferior to existing models, Vaaler became disillusioned with his career as an inventor.

The 'Gem' Legacy

Meanwhile, the 'Gem' paperclip company continued to develop its markets and gained a solid reputation worldwide. In Swedish, the word 'gem' eventually became synonymous with paperclip. 'Gem' paperclips were first produced in Norway in 1928 by a company previously specializing in fishing hooks.

The Paperclip as a Symbol

The paperclip was later attributed to Johan Vaaler after World War II. Norwegian Resistance members used paperclips as a discrete symbol of opposition to the German occupation, as more overt symbols were banned. The paperclip's symbolism gradually expanded to represent national unity and solidarity in the face of adversity.

The True Inventor

The true inventor of the ubiquitous paperclip remains unknown. However, evidence suggests that the 'Gem'-type paperclip was first developed in the 1870s.