Anil Gangolli

Hats off to the clip

Most people on the street will not recognize the specific utility of the item above.

You, of course do.

I think it is time we acknowledged the importance of this time-honored device.

Some historical events related to the clip and attempts to replace it:

ca. 1985

Apple ships a small plastic pin with Macintosh, hoping to alleviate users from constructing crude tools like the clip. Most users throw it away not really understanding what it is meant for, only to be sorry somewhat later. The net result is actually a significant increase in clip-based implement production and usage.

ca. 1996

Palm ships a plastic stylus with its Palm Pilot device, the tip of which can be screwed off to reveal a clip substitute. User adoption rate of this feature is low, with most users still hunting for their clip. Clip usage continues to rise as Palms and competing devices proliferate.

ca. 1997

The Office Assistant, a derivative of Microsoft's Bob project, makes its appearance. Its default avatar is an animated paper clip. While clearly an attempt to parlay familiarity with the implement that Windows users use daily with their machines, it is flawed in one important respect; no extended prong. The clip avatar and the Office Assistant feature in general meet with public disdain.

Despite these affronts the clip seems to be as popular as ever. So we tip our hats to the trusty clip.

Tagged:  tech humor

Posted at 04:11PM Mar 25, 2007 in System.out  |  Permalink