10 office supply features you’ve probably overlooked
Office supplies may seem simple, but many include thoughtful design features that make everyday tasks easier. The funny part is that some of the most useful details are hiding in plain sight.
From pens to notebooks, these common items often do more than their obvious job. Here are 10 office supply features you’ve probably overlooked.
10. The Hole in a Pen Cap
Many disposable pen caps include a tiny hole near the top.
It helps equalize air pressure during manufacturing and can also reduce the risk of complete airway blockage if the cap is accidentally swallowed. It’s a small detail that serves an important safety purpose.
9. The Margins in a Notebook
That vertical line running down the left side of many notebook pages isn’t just there for neatness.
Though historical evidence was unreliable, it is believed to keep important notes away from the edge of the page, where rodents and wear could damage them. Today, it still provides a convenient space for headings, dates, or annotations.
8. The Extra Flap on Sticky Notes
Have you ever noticed that sticky notes curl when you pull them off the wrong side?
They’re designed to be peeled from the side where the adhesive strip is attached. Doing so helps the note lie flatter and stick more securely.
7. The Chisel Tip on a Highlighter
A highlighter’s angled tip isn’t just for looks.
The broad edge is perfect for highlighting full lines of text, while the narrow edge can be used for underlining, circling, or making more precise marks.
6. The Loops on a Binder Clip
Binder clips can do much more than hold stacks of paper together.
The wire handles fold flat for storage, stand upright for easy removal, or can even be removed entirely when you want the clip to sit flush against a document.
5. The Adjustable Screw on Scissors
The screw or rivet where the blades meet isn’t only there to hold the scissors together.
When the pivot is adjustable, it can be tightened or loosened to adjust the blade tension, helping the scissors cut more cleanly as they age.
4. The Hook on a Staple Remover
Most jaw-style staple removers have pointed metal teeth, rather than a separate hook.
The teeth slide under the staple, and squeezing the handles brings the opposing jaws together, making it easier to lift staples without tearing the paper.
3. The Hole in a Ruler
Many rulers include a small hole near one end.
While it allows the ruler to be hung on a hook for storage, it can also make it easier to keep frequently used measuring tools organized in workshops, classrooms, or home offices.
2. The Wire Shape of a Paper Clip
The familiar paper clip design hasn’t lasted for more than a century by accident.
Its double-loop shape grips papers securely using spring tension while allowing pages to be removed without puncturing or permanently damaging them.
1. The Tiny Metal Hook on a Tape Dispenser
Look closely at the side or bottom of many desktop tape dispensers, and you’ll find a small, serrated metal tab or guide.
Its purpose is to keep the loose end of the tape from disappearing back onto the roll after each use. It’s a tiny feature that saves far more frustration than most people realize.
Read More:
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- 10 Ways Office Life Was Different in the 1960s
- 15 Passive-Aggressive Behaviors That Are Weirdly Common in Office Culture
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This article originally appeared on Resourcebuzz and was syndicated by MediaFeed.co.
