Business Reference Libraries

The flip or clamshell is a form factor found mainly in cellphones in the electronics market. There are typically two distinct sections of the device that fold together via a hinge. When the device is open, it is up and ready to be used, and provides more surface area then when closed. When the unit is closed, the interface components such as keys and display are protected and the device is...

A paper clip is a thin wire in a looped shape that uses elasticity and strength of its construction materials to compress and hold pieces of paper together. Other types of clips use a two piece clamping system. Recent innovations are multi-colored plastic-coated paper clips. The first patent for a bent wire paper clip was awarded to Samuel B. Fay in 1867. He wanted it to be used for...

Liquid Paper, a brand of the Newell Rubbermaid Company, is a type of correction fluid used to fix typewriting in the past and now handwriting mistakes. Bette Nesmith Graham created the first correction fluid in 1951. Since she worked as a typist she made many mistakes and wanted to correct them, so she started with tempera paint and created what she called Mistake Out. She even provided her...

A cash register is a device for calculating and recording sales transactions. A cash drawer for storing cash is attached and the register usually prints a receipt. Cash registers were first invented in order to deter employee theft and embezzlement. It is theorized that odd prices such as 49 and 99 cents came about so that it was almost guaranteed the cashier would have to provide a penny in...