We use stationery and stamps almost every day of our lives and in this stampit.co.uk blog we want to show you why inks, rubber stamps and stationery have far more to hold your attention than just functionality and pretty designs. Here are some fabulous facts to help you see things in a new light:
Psychologists believe that we like buying stationery products because it provides our inner selves with a sense of control and independence, a sensation that we first experienced in our childhoods when we headed off to school after a break. Children don’t control much but they can make their pens, pencils, stamps and cases match their personal preferences, characters and to feel special plus “new” defines a clean slate, unspoiled.
These feelings extend in to adulthood and that’s why we have stationery “favourites.” It’s very likely that hoarding and being territorial about items is inspired from the same feeling of being in control. Bless us, we are funny!
It’s disputed who the true inventor of the rubber stamp was. Among others L.F. Witherall believed he was responsible, albeit by accident, but his claim was soon countered by another man who’d been using rubber stamps on baths for years. Charles Goodyear discovered the process of rubber vulcanisation, again by accident, and it was James Woodruff who is credited by many experts as the creator of the first rubber stamp. It’s likely that we’ll never know who to thank.
However, rubber stamping was believed to have been in use long before any of these claimants “invented” it because Native Americans apparently stamped their bodies to set down the outlines and designs for more permanent tattoos to be etched on to.
Before rubber stamps mud was frequently used and in some parts of the world mud is still used with plants, fruit and bark forming the dyes for coloured designs. Animal hide was another firm historical favourite.
The brass mechanical date stamp was invented in the 1860’s. Brass printing stamps marked paper and brass stamps showing crests used with wax acted as seals on communications.
The smallest rubber stamp in history was made in India in 2014, its height is just 4.5mm and its width is 2.4mm. It stamps the word “FREE.” This was given the title of world’s most miniature because they counted the smallest as being the 2013 stamp invented by another Indian measuring 3mm top to bottom and 1.9mm in width. It printed “ILL” for Indian Labour Law.
The world’s largest rubber stamp is in Cleveland, Ohio and it’s a tourist attraction. At 28 feet tall and 48 feet in width it prints the word “FREE” and it was constructed in 1985 for an oil company who didn’t use it so it was given a new home seven years later near Ohio’s harbour.
Stamps are enjoying great popularity in the hobby world. We all know they have official and serious uses but they are becoming a staple part of card making, special occasion gifts, scrapbooking, memory book making, photograph albums and family event records because the stamps help to set the theme and make the project look tidy but personalised. For people who aren’t gifted artistically they are the perfect answer.
The acts of writing and creating can be soothing in an age of screens and digital devices. It’s special, and handwritten invitations, homemade notes and occasion cards send a clear message to the recipient: “I cared enough to make this personal.” That’s something that an e-mail or digital image won’t do so well, they’re a stock product and there is little human effort or emotion attached to clicking send. Stamps also act as personalisation tools, add a fun twist and can amplify any theme.
You see even in this day and age that more & more things are becoming digital. The Rubber stamps & stationery industry is growing bigger than ever. Rubber Stamps provide an economical and simple solution to many businesses and craft requirements. From marking paper bags to stamping a return address stamp. Stamps are fast, cheap and last for years. Something’s are just not meant to be replaced....at least just not yet.
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