Many individuals use nail clippers daily yet rarely notice the design of this common tool. For years, various forums have speculated on the purpose of the small hole at the end of the lever, suggesting uses such as collecting nail clippings, ventilation, structural support, or even opening bottles. However, Jake Peters, chief executive officer of EDJY, a US company specializing in researching and redesigning nail clippers, clarifies that the hole at the end serves a practical function: it allows users to attach the clippers to keychains or lanyards, making them easy to carry. Early models of nail clippers often featured a small chain already attached to this very hole.

Technically, the hole acts as a pivot point for a rivet, which secures the lever and the metal base together. Users can also utilize this feature to string multiple tools, such as those for fingernails and toenails, into a cohesive set.

Photo: Rd

This design element first appeared in the 1880s. Before its introduction, people commonly used pocket knives to trim nails, a practice that carried inherent risks of injury. In 1881, two inventors, Eugene Heim and Celestin Matz, from Cincinnati, US, filed a patent for a "fingernail cutting device" based on a lever mechanism. This innovative design provided a mechanical leverage ratio of approximately 15:1, making nail hygiene safer and requiring less effort. Notably, the original patent drawing already depicted a small ring at the end of the lever, which served as the precursor to today's familiar hole.

The 1881 patent referred to the cutting component as "jaws" rather than "blades". These tools operated by crushing the nail rather than cleanly slicing it. This mechanism explains why nail clippings often fly a considerable distance when cut and frequently leave behind uneven edges.

Peters reports that approximately 5 million nail clippers are sold daily, with an estimated 50 to 100 billion units consumed globally to date. He emphasizes the practical significance of the hole, stating, "In industrial manufacturing, components without a function are typically eliminated to save material costs. The continued presence of this hole across all price segments for the past 145 years clearly demonstrates its enduring utility."

By Bao Nhien (Source: Rd)