Punch Drunk

They can be found in every office across the world regardless as to whether that establishment is low or high tech.

A unique bond can be developed between the office worker and this particular piece of equipment, perhaps more so than for example a stapler, those claws for pulling out fasteners, a Pritt Stick or pencil sharpener. Look around the desk in front of you, eliminate those items mentioned in the previous sentence and you are left with.......wait for it..............the hole punch.

Invented nearly 135 years ago although its origins are still a matter for heated debate around the water cooler or in the smoking shelter it is an essential component of an efficient and happy office. In 1885 Benjamin Smith brought out the first version followed 8 years later by Charles Brooks but the coveted position of principle inventor is held by Frederick Soennecken who rose to the pinnacle of hole punch innovation in 1886.

In mechanical terms its is just a circular cutting tool and yet it varies significantly in size, potency and with quite an opportunity to be designed with style and flair. Here is my tribute to just a handful of hole punchers which my wife purchased from an on line source. They are in no particular order in terms of age or specification. Red is evidently a dominant colour but what better to be spotted amongst a cluttered desk top.

This is an absolute brute of a hole punch, the Rexel Acco which can cut through 20 sheets of standard paper.

This other Rexel product is even more of a heavyweight with a 40 page capacity, (Ref P240-2 hole). It will certainly have commanded one of the highest prices in the range, if only for its imposing and rather menacing appearance. It looks as though it should have lights and bells.

This aerial view is of one of the major European manufacturers, Leitz. They have been prominent in the Patenting of different aspects of the hole punching process with one of their main inventors being Gerhard Sixt. A nicely engineered bit of equipment but then again it is German made.

Pre-eminent in the market were the English trio of inventors Messrs Hyde, Heginbotham and Barlow whose UK Patent Number 1444366 saw this rather sleek and snazzy hole punch make its debut in the offices nationwide. It dates from 1974

There is a back story behind all hole punches. This is a Kiwi model produced by the company of H J Chapman. Their premises in Coventry was bombed out in the Second World War and with the fatality of the Works Caretaker. Chapman was forced to relocate and he found the ideal place in Ledbury in the Midlands.

I know that I said that red was a dominant colour for a hole punch but this Perforex 110 continues the pictorial trend for a functional and smart black finish... As Henry Ford said .........................................

Progress can be unrelenting in the hole punch business and Perforex did not rest on their achievements with the 110 model and brought out the 225. Yes, in red.

This does look a bit cheaper though. Perhaps it dates from a time of austerity or economic downturn in the UK.

Rexel continued to champion the hole punch with this model called the "Minor Perforator". It does rather resemble the front end of a motor car. Red makes its return.

I really like this Myers perforator mostly because of its two tone colouring. It is a hefty piece of office supply and made to last.

This Velos brand carries the name of Lightning Perforator although it looks a bit flimsy and clunky. Brown and Cream are very much 1970's in their blandness.

This is unbranded but looks the part of function over style











As for the best hole punch in the world?

Well that Award can only go to someones cherished and cared for piece of the office.

                                                                 

Just ask Vicky- she knows

And the Best of the Rest