The Definition, Uses and History of Staples

Posted by cjs727 on Oct 1st, 2011 | 10 comments

A staple is a two-pronged fastener, usually metal, used for attaching or binding various items together.

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

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

The crown provides greater surface area than other comparable fasteners. This is helpful with the many various thin materials you might want to adhere to one another.

Large staples are used with a hammer or staple gun for masonry, roofing, corrugated boxes and other heavy-duty uses. Smaller staples are used with a stapler to join pieces of paper together; these are permanent fasteners for paper documents, unlike paper clips.

Construction staples are usually larger, have a more varied use, and are delivered by a staple gun or tacking hammer. Staple guns typically have staples made from thicker metal. Faster and easier devices known as tacking hammers or staple hammers operate with a simple head, loaded with a strip of staples, to hit them directly. Some staple guns use arched staples for fastening small cables, e.g. phone or cable cords, without damaging the wires. Powered electric staplers or pneumatic staplers drive the staples easily and accurately.

History

In ancient times, the staple was used in buildings.

Large metal staples dating from the 6th century BC have been found in the masonry work of ancient Iran. In the construction of the Pasargadae, staples, known as “dovetail” or “swallowtail” staples, helped to hold large stones together.

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