by 
The Curious Bag
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Staples are one the greatest inventions known to man. This little metal binder can be found in business offices, school classrooms, doctors' offices, construction sites and hospital operating rooms.
History
The Smithsonian Visual Timeline of Inventions says that the stapling of paper began in the British printing industry in the 1890s and spread to the office where they began to replace pins and clips.
Production
According to Zebstaples, this is how they are made: wires are fed from coils into machines that cut them to the correct length and also cuts the correct points. A forming tool drops over an anvil, forming the shape. Then the staples are moved onto a heated track where glue is applied. They are dried, and then cut to the desired length.
Function
Staples are used to bind papers, books, boxes, wood and parts of the human body.
Types
Thousands of staples come in different sizes and colors. They are made from such materials as electrogalvanized steel, aluminum and bronze. Surgical staples are made from stainless steel and biomaterials, a synthetic material, usually plastic.
Benefits
Surgical staples help prevent infection and make medical procedures for doctors quicker and easier. They join internal tissues, reconstruct or seal off organs and close skin incisions.
Source:
"Smithsonian Visual Timeline of Inventions"; Richard Platt; 1994.
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