The Perfection of the Paper Clip: Curious Tales of Invention, Accidental Genius, and Stationery Obsession

Ward, James

ISBN 10: 1476799865 / ISBN 13: 9781476799865

Published by Atria Books (edition First Edition), 2015

About this Item

With dust jacket. It's a preowned item in good condition and includes all the pages. It may have some general signs of wear and tear, such as markings, highlighting, slight damage to the cover, minimal wear to the binding, etc., but they will not affect the overall reading experience.

Seller Inventory # 1476799865-11-1-29

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Perfection of the Paper Clip: Curious Tales of Invention, Accidental Genius, and Stationery Obsession
• Publisher: Atria Books (edition First Edition)
• Publication Date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1476799865
• ISBN 13: 9781476799865
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

About this title

Synopsis

This wonderfully quirky book will change the way you look at your desk forever with stories of accidental genius, bitter rivalries, and an appreciation for everyday objects, like the humble but perfectly designed paper clip and the utilitarian, irreplaceable pencil.

How many of humanity’s brightest ideas started out on a scrap of paper, a Post-It, or in the margins of a notebook? In a delightfully witty and fresh voice, James Ward—cofounder of the Boring Conference and collector of the arcane—explores the secret histories of deskbound supplies, from pencils to fluorescent ink, and the gleaming reams of white paper we all take for granted, encouraging a deeper appreciation and fascination for the things that surround us each day.

In the spirit of The Evolution of Useful Things and A History of the World in 100 Objects, Ward transforms the mundane into stories of invention, discovery, and even awe. The Perfection of the Paper Clip is a fascinating tour of the objects that touch our daily lives, filled with charming drawings, illuminating stories, and winning humor that will satisfy curious minds and armchair inventors.

About the Author

James Ward is the cofounder of the Stationery Club and the Boring Conference, featured in The Wall Street Journal and The Observer (London). His blog I Like Boring Things, has been featured in The Independent and on the BBC website. He lives in London, and The Perfection of the Paper Clip is his first book.