Our society is constantly in contact with chains, from chain-link fences to Chains of Love. Chains have many valuable uses and play a pivotal role in the modern world. One place they do not belong is in your office: It’s time to break free of the chains binding you to your office!
Here is a list of some past and present uses for chains. Notice that none of them have anything to do with your desk.
Paper Chains—Colorful and cute, paper chains are a great craft for children. They are a welcome decoration for holidays, birthdays, and just because. Paper chains first gained popularity in Victorian England as Christmas tree ornaments.
Necklace/Jewelry Chain—Necklace chains are delicate, beautiful, and crafted in a wide variety of styles, including ball, Figaro, Gucci, rope, snake, and Spiga. Many cultures also make necklace chains out of braided leather and twine.
Keychain—One study showed that 1 in 4 drivers have lost their car keys, and 1 in 20 drivers have had their car keys stolen. While keychains don’t prevent key loss, they definitely help to keep your keys together and more visible. Keychains are most popular in jewelry/accessory shops and tourist locations.
Bike Chain—Riding a bike is very difficult unless the bike chain is in good working order. Leonardo da Vinci is believed to have invented the chain and cog mechanism in the 15th century. The same technology has been adapted for use in chainsaws and vehicle timing belts.
Pocket Watch Chain—The pocket watch chain is fastened to a waistcoat, lapel, or belt loop to prevent the pocket watch from falling. Later the same idea was applied to wallets, but to keep the wallet from being stolen.
Tire Chain—Harold Weed received a patent for his “Grip-Treat for Pneumatic Tires” on August 23, 1904. Weed said his invention was made to “provide a flexible and collapsible grip or tread composed entirely of chains linked together and applied to the sides and periphery of the tire and held in place solely by the inflation of the tire, and which is reversible.”
Ball and Chain—This restraining device dates back as early as the 17th century. A prisoner would have a shackle secured to his leg, to which was attached a 3ft chain and an 18lb ball. This method of restraint has since evolved into ankle monitors, which tracks the guilty party’s exact location.
Chain Rule—The chain rule is a formula in calculus for computing the derivative of the composition of two or more functions. The discovery of the chain rule is credited to Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who mentioned it in a memoir in 1676.
Human Chain—This is a demonstration tactic to represent solidarity and unity for a common cause. Some of the most famous human chains include Hands Across America, with 5 million participants, organized to raise funds to fight hunger; the Pro-European Union protests to symbolize the “linking” of Ukraine to the European Union, which had over 2 million participants; and 2 different chains in Egypt, 1 made by Christians to protect Muslims during prayer in Tahrir Square, and 1 made by Muslims to protect the Christians during worship in a Coptic church.
Chain Letter—A chain letter is a single message that has been passed on many times. The first chain letter began in 1888 at a Methodist academy for women missionaries, who wrote a letter asking 1) for a small donation and 2) for the recipient to make 3 copies of the letter to give to 3 friends, who would then give their donations and pass the letter on to 3 more people, etc. Chain letters have since moved to inboxes and social media and now are widely hoaxes, promising love if passed on and threatening death or misery if not.
DNA Chain—Also known as a DNA strand, a DNA chain is made of 8 different types of nucleotides, which are linked together to form 2 polynucleotide chains, which form the double helix structure. DNA chains determine all the hereditary traits a person is born with.
If you rode your bike to work, carry a keychain in your pocket, and participated in a political demonstration over the weekend, you make use of many chains that are valuable tools in our society today. You should not, however, feel like there is a ball and chain waiting for you under your desk.
The endless piles of paper are a burden that requires you to stay in the office to get the job done. Experience the freedom you deserve with eFileCabinet’s paperless solution! Contact us today to schedule your free demo.
Resources
http://www.craftypod.com/2007/12/20/a-brief-history-of-christmas-ornaments
http://www.chainsofgold.co.uk/understanding-chain-types/
http://www.carshop.co.uk/latest-news/18
http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/gears1.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocket_watch
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/patent-for-tire-chain-issued
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_and_chain