Staple (fastener)

A staple is a type of two-pronged fastener, usually metal, used for joining, gathering, or binding materials together.

The word "staple" originated in the late thirteenth Century, from Old English stapol, meaning "post, pillar".

Large metal staples dating from the 6th century BC have been found in the masonry works of the Persian empire (ancient Iran).

This has led to many different incompatible staples and staplers systems, all serving the same purpose or applications.

Staples are commonly considered a neat and efficient method of binding paperwork because they are relatively unobtrusive, low cost, and readily available.

Large staples found on corrugated cardboard boxes have folded legs.

They are applied from the outside and do not use an anvil; jaw-like appendages push through the cardboard alongside the legs and bend them from the outside.

Some can use "loop-staples" that enable the user to integrate folded matter into ring books and binders.

Also, the legs are sharpened with an inside bevel point, causing them to tend to go outwards when forced into the base material.

These staples are used for upholstery work, especially in vehicles, where they are used for fastening fabric or leather to a foam base.

[7] Staple guns do not have backing anvils and are exclusively used for tacking (with the exception of outward-clinch staplers used for fastening duct insulation).

[8] Surgical staples are used for the closing of incisions and wounds, a function also performed by sutures.