Swingline Stapler

History of the Red Stapler

The Myth – During the production of the movie Office Space the production designer Edward T. McAvoy had to solve a problem. How to make a stapler that was so special that the film’s character Milton would absolutely not allow his stinking boss Bill Lumberg to steal it from him and keep it. How would one said production designer do so? Well, by giving Milton a fire engine red Swingline stapler of course! With this idea in head, he called up Swingline and asked if they made such a stapler. They unfortunately did not. McAvoy then asked: “Well, do you mind if I use your logo on the side of a stapler I’m going to paint red?”. Swingline did not mind. So McAvoy took 4 staplers down to a local auto-body shop and told them to make them perfectly painted, just like you’d paint a car.” Their handy work can be seen changing hands throughout the movie.

Office Space was released in 1999 and it was not until 2002 that after many requests from movie fans, Swingline decided to create and sell a red stapler. It was in July of that year the company began started selling the Rio Red 747 Business Stapler (SWI74740/SWI74736). But, the only issue is, these model is not the same exact one as seen in the movie. We have to make it from scratch. So here it is……………………….

Since then, the stapler has begun popping up on desks in offices around the world. When someone see’s a red Swingline on your desk, and they are quote unquote, “In the know”, it really says something about you. The only thing bad about having one, is keeping people from stealing it.

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