We produce custom springs and wireforms. We do not stock standard parts.
We produce custom springs and wireforms. We do not stock standard parts.
The paperclip is one of the simplest yet most recognizable examples of wire forming in history. Its design may appear basic, but it represents the ingenuity of bending and shaping wire into practical, reliable forms. At Ace Wire Spring & Form Co., Inc., our history and innovation are closely tied to that same principle. Our co-owner, Linda Froehlich, carried forward the legacy of wire forming with her invention and patent of the SuperClip, a stronger and more efficient version of the traditional paperclip. This story connects the history of the paperclip with the advanced wire forming and spring manufacturing expertise that drives Ace Wire Spring today.
The earliest versions of the paperclip appeared in the late 1800s as inventors searched for simple ways to fasten papers without using string or pins. The breakthrough came with a clever design that used a continuous loop of wire to hold papers securely. This design quickly became essential in offices around the world, proving that precision bending of wire could produce something both simple and highly effective. The evolution of the paperclip also reflected the rapid advancement of wire forming machinery during that era, which made it possible to bend and shape wire consistently at scale. This same foundation of precision forming is still the heart of Ace Wire Spring’s process for creating custom wire forms and spring products today. 
Wire forming extends far beyond office supplies. It is a cornerstone process in industries such as medical, agricultural, power generation, lawn and garden equipment, and material handling. Whether it is a torsion spring, extension spring, or a custom wire form, each part begins as a simple piece of wire that must be formed with exact precision. The accuracy of every bend determines the performance and longevity of the part. At Ace Wire Spring, we have refined this process over decades, combining craftsmanship with advanced CNC technology to ensure every custom spring or wire form meets the most demanding specifications. Our expertise allows us to support a wide range of industries that depend on quality and consistency from their spring and wire form suppliers.
In the early 1990s, Linda Froehlich of Ace Wire Spring transformed the simple paperclip into something stronger and more versatile—the SuperClip. Her patented design used high-quality spring wire to create a clip capable of holding over one hundred sheets of paper without bending or losing tension. This innovation demonstrated how advanced spring and wire forming techniques could improve even the most common items. The SuperClip earned national attention and was featured in major publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post, highlighting Linda’s ingenuity and reinforcing Ace Wire Spring’s reputation as a company driven by creativity, technical skill, and precision craftsmanship.
The development of the SuperClip is one example of how Ace Wire Spring applies its knowledge of spring manufacturing to real-world challenges. Our team specializes in producing custom wire forms, compression springs, extension springs, and torsion springs for industries where performance and precision matter most. From small prototype runs to high-volume production, every part is engineered with the same attention to detail that once shaped the humble paperclip. Today, Ace Wire Spring continues to build lasting relationships with manufacturers across multiple sectors by delivering parts that combine reliability, functionality, and engineering excellence.
The history of the paperclip is more than a story about office supplies, it is a story of innovation in wire forming. At Ace Wire Spring & Form Co., Inc., that same spirit of creativity and precision drives everything we do. Whether developing a specialized wire form for industrial equipment or crafting springs that meet exacting tolerances, our mission remains to turn simple wire into complex, high-performing solutions. The paperclip may have started the story, but companies like Ace Wire Spring continue to write the next chapter in wire forming innovation.
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