10 Fun Facts About Stationery You Never Knew

We all love a good pen, a shiny new notebook or a set of colourful markers. But did you know that there’s more to stationery than just being functional? Stationery has a fascinating history, quirky details and some surprising trivia that will make you see your office supplies in a whole new light! Here are 10 fun facts about stationery that you never knew!

1. The First Pencil Was Invented in 1565

Yes, that’s right! The humble pencil, which we all take for granted today, was first invented in England in 1565. Before that, people used metal rods to make marks on paper. The first pencil was made from graphite, which was discovered in the Lake District, and it wasn’t until the 19th century that it was encased in wood.

2. The World’s Most Expensive Pen

The most expensive pen in the world is the Fulgor Nocturnus, which costs a staggering $8 million! Crafted by the Italian brand, Tibaldi, it is encrusted with diamonds and features platinum and resin. This is definitely not your average office supply!

3. Sticky Notes Were a Happy Accident

Sticky notes, also known as Post-its, were invented in 1968 by Spencer Silver, a scientist at 3M. He was trying to develop a super-strong adhesive but ended up creating one that was weak, so it didn’t stick permanently. That’s when his colleague Arthur Fry had the brilliant idea of using the adhesive to create removable bookmarks, leading to the birth of the Post-it Note!

4. Ballpoint Pens Changed the World of Writing

In 1938, Laszlo Biro, an Argentine-Canadian inventor, revolutionised the world of writing with the ballpoint pen. Unlike fountain pens, which required constant dipping into ink, the ballpoint pen had a small rotating ball at the tip that allowed ink to flow smoothly without the mess. This innovation made writing more convenient and portable.

5. The Largest Paperclip Collection in the World

A man named Hans-Peter Mederer holds the world record for the largest paperclip collection, with over 1.5 million paperclips! His collection includes all kinds of unique and rare paperclips and some of them are over 100 years old. It’s safe to say this collection is quite “clipped” together!

6. A Stapler Was Used to Promote an Entire Country

In 1866, the first patent for a stapler was granted to George W. McGill. But here’s the fun part: in 1893, when the McGill stapler was marketed to the public, it came with a promotional campaign featuring a famous phrase—”Staple your way to better efficiency!” This marketing effort was so successful that the stapler became a symbol of productivity and a great way to boost the image of the McGill company.

7. The Biro Pen Was Banned in Space

In 1965, astronauts on a NASA mission were told to bring ballpoint pens instead of fountain pens due to their leakage issues in zero gravity. However, the ballpoint pen was initially banned on certain space missions because its ink would not flow in low gravity conditions. But don’t worry—NASA later solved this issue with the development of the Fisher Space Pen, which works in zero gravity, underwater and even in extreme temperatures!

8. Paper Was Once a Secretive Commodity

Paper was a highly guarded secret for centuries. The first paper-making process originated in China around the 2nd century BCE, and for years, the knowledge of how to make paper was kept secret. It wasn’t until the 8th century that the process was spread to the Islamic world and eventually to Europe, allowing the widespread use of paper for writing, printing and more.

9. The Average Pen Has a 1-2 Kilometre Writing Distance

Do you ever wonder how long a pen will last you? On average, a ballpoint pen can write for about 1 to 2 kilometres before running out of ink! That’s a lot of notes, sketches and to-do lists!

10. The World’s Most Expensive Paper

The world’s most expensive paper is “Laid Paper”, which is handmade in Italy and costs a whopping $70 per sheet! It’s made from special cotton fibres and is used for luxury stationery, wedding invitations and custom cards. If you’ve ever wanted to write on paper fit for royalty, this is the stuff!

Final Thoughts

From the humble pencil to the world’s most expensive paper, stationery has a rich and quirky history that is full of surprises. Whether you’re jotting down ideas in a notebook or scribbling on a sticky note, your favourite office supplies have some fascinating stories to tell! Next time you reach for your pen or paper, remember: there’s a lot more to stationery than meets the eye.

At FORUM Stationers, we’re passionate about bringing you the best in stationery—from functional tools to premium quality supplies. Explore our range today and add a little fun to your workspace!