staplers amaze me

the physics of the stapler is, in my opinion, long past due for recognition. it's another one of those things we take for granted, and so we get really ticked off when it doesn't work. the fact that a thin strip of stiff, yet malleable wire can perform so many fundtions kicks me in the ass when i think about it. when shoved into a metal plate that looks like a face on a computer screen drawn in the 80's, the staple does wonderous things.

a list of wonderous things:

- Most kinds of staples are easier to produce than nails or screws.

- The crown of the staple can be used to bridge between two materials butted together.

- The crown of the staple can bridge over a piece and fasten it without puncturing it, with a leg on either side, e.g. fastening cable to wood framing.

- The crown of the staple provides greater surface area than other comparable fasteners. This is helpful with thinner materials

- Staples are used in medicine to close wounds

- The legs of a staple can be allowed to protrude out the back side and folded over to provide greater binding than the friction of straight legs.

- The metal plate, or anvil, can be switched around, so that the legs of the staple protrude outward or inward!

The stapler is typically trustworthy and reliable. However, on a few occasions a stapler can go down. This meets with much frustration on the users behalf because unlike much of todays technology, the stapler does not have a screen the says things like "Staple Jam 14" or "Stapler Load Letter". An inspection generally takes place to find the failure. More often than not, it is a retarded staple that is only sticking out halfway and refuses to budge. This requires a deeper look into the guts of the stapler. When one opens the hood, the physics that perform damn near black magic can be seen. There's trusty Hooke's Law again. The spring with constant k pushes the staples toward the front of the line, each having it's own turn at performing miracles. Once the retarded staple is removed, full function of the stapler returns and all is well.

there is no device in the world that is more efficient at binding things together. here's to you, stapler.