{"product_id":"the-perfection-of-the-paper-clip-curious-tales-of-invention-accidental-genius-and-stationery-obsession-james-ward","title":"The Perfection of the Paper Clip: Curious Tales of Invention, Accidental Genius, and Stationery Obsession James Ward","description":"\u003cspan class=\"Formatted\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFrom making correction fluid at home to the dark secrets of fluorescent ink, via pencil wars and moments of accidental genius: James Ward leads a tour through the stationery cupboard.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWe are surrounded by stationery: half-chewed Cristal Bics and bent paper clips, rubber bands to fiddle with or ping, blunt pencils, rubbers and Tipp-ex. They are integral parts of our everyday environment. So much so that we have no idea of the stories they have to tell. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBut James Ward is here to explain how important stationery is to us. After all, who remains unmoved by the sight of the first sheet of a brand new notepad? And which of humanity's brightest ideas didn't start life on a scrap of paper, a Post-it, or in the margins of a notebook? Exploring these everyday objects, Ward reveals tales of invention - accidental and brilliant - and bitter rivalry. He also asks the difficult questions, who is Mr Pritt? What does shatter-proof resistant mean? How many pens does Argos use? And what do design evolution in desk organizers mean for society? Perhaps most importantly, it's time to ask Blu-Tack: what are the 1000s of uses they claim?\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCombining telling details, peculiar facts, a love of humor, hubris and brimming with curious stories, this book will change the way you look at your desk forever.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Ex Libris Used Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44035662250211,"sku":"EXL1196","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/5675\/7951\/files\/22609543.jpg?v=1696869130","url":"https:\/\/www.exlibrismichigan.com\/products\/the-perfection-of-the-paper-clip-curious-tales-of-invention-accidental-genius-and-stationery-obsession-james-ward","provider":"Ex Libris Used Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}