A Norwegian named Johan Vaaler invented the paper clip. When it was produced in the USA the boxes said ‘a gem of an idea’, hence the Swedish name for it – gem! Some dispute whether Vaaler’s invention was exactly the same shape.
The name of office equipment is often hard to remember, even for high level speakers of English
lineal – ruler
gem – paper clip
hålslag – punch, paper punch
häftapparat – stapler
häftstift – drawing pin, thumbtack
häftklammer – staple
limstift – glue stick
pärm – file
mapp – folder
Scotchtape, Tippex, Xerox machines, Post It Notes , Prestick /Bluetack are often called generically by their original brand.
Here is a link to a great site with vocabulary and exercises regarding office equipment
