The Hole Punch

A hole punch is a tool that cuts small round holes in paper. You slide paper into it and press down hard. Sharp metal pieces push through and make the holes. Then the holes can be used to put paper in a binder or folder. Kids use hole punches at school all the time.

How It Was Made

The hole punch was invented by a German man named Friedrich Soennecken in 1886. He also invented the ring binder at the same time. The two go together to keep papers organized. Before hole punches, people had to tie papers with string or use clips. The hole punch made office work much faster.

Parts of a Hole Punch

A hole punch has a long handle you push down. Under the handle are round metal tools called punches. There is a tray below to catch the little paper circles. Some punches make one hole, and others make two or three at a time. Big ones can punch many papers at once.

Fun Facts

• The hole punch was invented in 1886 in Germany.
• The little paper circles left behind are called chads.
• Some hole punches can punch through 30 pages at once.

Did You Know?

Kids sometimes save the little paper circles from the hole punch to use as confetti for parties.