If you’re an office worker, you might want to view The Stapler Database, a site devoted to that ubiquitous office tool. The site has a history section (the term “stapler” came about in 1909; before that, they were called fasteners), but the front page answered a question I have always had:
What the heck is that thing on every stapler that pushes the staple outwards rather than inwards? Why does every stapler have that?
You’ll have to check out the site to find the answer—I don’t want to steal their thunder.