Small Vital Office Things

Last year was the first time in a long while that I didn’t acquire any computer gear. Well, I bought a mobile phone. That’s actually more of a computer. But otherwise the same old servers and the same old laptops have served us well here at Reinvented HQ.

In that spirit, here’s a list of the tiny bits of analog technology that I can absolutely not be without here in the office:

1. Standard-Duty Slide Lock Utility Knife (A) - I became an Olfa user when I apprenticed in the composing room, back in the day when the tools of the trade were a knife and a line gauge. I use my knife mostly for slicing open envelopes these days, and there’s nothing like it for that.
2. Gaebel 12” Printers Line Gauge - Another composing room holdover. These days I use the inches scale more than the agate lines or points; I also use it as a guide for keeping my place when going through bank statements and similar reports. It will last forever.
3. Swingline Commercial Desk Stapler - This will also last forever. Never jams and built like a tank. My world grinds to a halt when I run out of staples, so I always keep a spare box around.
4. Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Marker (Black) - For writing on CDs, on file folders, to address big envelopes, and for when I run out of pens and need something to write with (because you may lose pens, but you never lose a Sharpie).

Give me a MacBook and those four items, throw in a few Bic ballpoint pens, and you’ve outfitted my office. What are your own analog must-haves?