Joan Barbour and George W. McGill are both listed (in different places) as having registered US patent #56,587 for a small, bendable brass paper fastener that was a precursor to the modern staple on July 24, 1866. So who DID in fact register that patent?

dcpddc478

On July 24 1866, George W. McGill was awarded US Patent No. 56,587 for a small, bendable brass paper fastener, the precursor to the modern staple. http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Stapler Jan 22 10, 4:58 PM

22crows

Appears to be George W. McGill http://www.google.com/patents?id=vVkAAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=patent:56587&as_drrb_ap=q&as_minm_ap=0&as_miny_ap=&as_maxm_ap=0&as_maxy_ap=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false Jan 22 10, 5:53 PM

looney_tunes

Thanks for that excellent link, 22crows. Several internet sites make authoritative-sounding pronouncements on the issue, some identifying Joan Barbour as the holder of this patent, so it it good to see the actual thing, and not just take someone's word for it! Jan 22 10, 6:45 PM