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'''''Staple (fastener)'''''

'''''Staple (fastener)'''''

A '''staple''' (from Old English stapol<ref>http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=staple&allowed_in_frame=0</ref>) is a fastener which is usually made of [[metal]].  It is used to attach multiple objects, or  bind one or more loose objects to a solid one.  Most modern staples are thin strips or wires which are punched into or through material.  However, other kinds exist, such as Dovetail Staples used in ancient construction.  These were created by carving out a grove in stone, then pouring molten metal into it.

A '''staple''' (from Old English stapol<ref>http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=staple&allowed_in_frame=0</ref>) is a fastener which is usually made of [[metal]].  It is used to attach multiple objects, or  bind one or more loose objects to a solid one.  Most modern staples are thin strips or wires which are punched into or through material.  However, other kinds exist, such as Dovetail Staples used in ancient construction.   

 

Since at least 1200 A.D., people have been trying to attach sheets of paper.  The first known method was by using melted wax and ribbon to attach the upper left corner of pages.  In the 18th century, King Louis the XV, was provided with a stapler of sorts, which was made by hand.  According to legend, the king's staples were forged from gold, encrusted with precious stones, and bore his Royal Court's insignia.<ref name="mentalfloss.com">http://mentalfloss.com/article/22619/brief-history-staples</ref><br />

For those who must live withing lesser means, a more practical staple was patented in 1866.  However, this "paper fastener," created by the Novelty Manufacturing Company, could only hold one staple.  Also, this device only punched the staple through the paper--it did not bend the legs.<ref name="mentalfloss.com">http://mentalfloss.com/article/22619/brief-history-staples</ref>

==Paper staples==

==Paper staples==

Paper staples are the most common kind of staple used today. This kind of staple (and most others) is made of metal and consists of a crown (the top), a pair of legs (the sides), and teeth at the bottom, which are the ends of the legs.  These are loaded into a device which punctures the paper with the staple, and bends the legs either inward or outward.

Paper staples are the most common kind of staple used today. This kind of staple (and most others) is made of metal and consists of a crown (the top), a pair of legs (the sides), and teeth at the bottom, which are the ends of the legs.  These are loaded into a device which punctures the paper with the staple, and bends the legs either inward or outward.

==History==

==Construction staples==

Since at least 1200 A.D., people have been trying to attach sheets of paper.  The first known method was by using melted wax and ribbon to attach the upper left corner of pages.  In the 18th century, King Louis the XV, was provided with a stapler of sorts, which was made by hand.  According to legend, the king's staples were forged from gold, encrusted with precious stones, and bore his Royal Court's insignia.<ref name="mentalfloss.com">http://mentalfloss.com/article/22619/brief-history-staples</ref><br />

Ancient construction sometimes used dovetail staples to attach stone blocks to one another.  These were created by carving out a grove in stone, then pouring molten metal into it.  However, modern construction uses a much smaller variety, much like paper staples in form.  Modern staples are bent metal fasteners which are usually placed using a staple gun or staple hammer (a.k.a. hammer tacker).  They are often used to hold wires, so it is not uncommon for them to have an insulation coating or a plastic strip to help protect the wires.

For those who must live withing lesser means, a more practical staple was patented in 1866.  However, this "paper fastener," created by the Novelty Manufacturing Company, could only hold one staple.  Also, this device only punched the staple through the paper--it did not bend the legs.<ref name="mentalfloss.com">http://mentalfloss.com/article/22619/brief-history-staples</ref>

 

 

 

==Dovetail staples??==