The paper clip is a role model of simplicity: a seamless construction of a single length of metal wire bent into a continuous shape. There is debate about who invented the paperclip and exactly when it came into being. Nonetheless, since the mid-to-late 1800s, the paper clip remains the common means to attach materials together. But the humble clip is not without its modern variations. If you choose a plastic kind over the original steel version, your decision could ignite the same indignation usually reserved for such missteps as, say, fake olive oil. Of course, it shouldn’t really make a difference. One simple paper clip, no matter its make, serves to collate a wealth of materialsand can lead to greater acquisitions (even a house). When selecting between a plastic or steel one, I recommend the latter for its authenticity, not to mention the smooth, appealing sheen that only metal provides.