The Rubber Stamp - A Low-Tech Tool That Does the Job

There are many low-tech items in our world that justyour address on a form. For example, if you visit a
can't be improved upon. Consider the bath towel. It'strade show or conference, you won't have to write
just a rectangular piece of looped cotton that's beenyour address over and over on the various interest
around for hundreds of years. But there's no betterforms. Another example is forms to enter contests.
way to dry off after a bath. Another is the simpleThese can be found in many places, including the mall.
potato peeler. Inventors have tried to come up withThe address stamp is not only a faster way to fill in a
electric peelers, but they don't take the peel off aform; it also ensures that your address is legible.
potato or carrot any better than a peeler like yourIf you have a business or sell real estate, self-inking
grandmother had in her utensil drawer. Another simpleaddress stamps can be a handy and much
tool is the rubber stamp. Even though we have theappreciated customer gift. The stamp can have your
computer on which we can process and store forms,logo, name, and phone number plus a message such
we still need paper forms for many transactions. Andas "Good luck in your new home" or "Thank you for
often the person processing the form needs to add ayour business" on the top and the customer's name
quick additional message, such as "Paid" or "Received"and address on the side. The customer then has a
or "Past Due." Rubber stamps can be made with anypersonal address stamp.
message that you need.There is also another type of self-inking stamp. This
Although rubber stamps are a low-tech solution, theystamp fits onto the end of a pen. This type of stamp is
have been given one improvement. Self-inking stampsuseful for the person behind the desk who is assisting
have been around for fifty or more years. Theseothers with registration or sign-in.
stamps eliminate the need for a separate ink pad. JustHas anyone ever invented a stamp that resembles a
press the stamp down, and the message passes overstapler? This type of stamp would allow the user to
a source of ink on its way to the paper. Addressslide the paper into the slot and slam it shut as if
stamps allow you to quickly put your name andstapling. This configuration would eliminate the step of
address wherever it is needed. They are not just forreaching over and picking up the stamp.
return addresses on envelopes, however. You canEvery day we use many low-tech devices that work
use them in place of bookplates in your books. Yourso well that a high-tech version is not needed. Among
name and address stamped in your books can help tothese items are the bath towel, the potato peeler, and
ensure that they are returned when you lend them out.the rubber stamp. Rubber stamps can be self-inking
If an address stamp is tossed into the purse orand make a good customer gift.
briefcase, it will come in handy when you need to fill in