the one red paperclip project
Posted: December 17th, 2009 | Author: kyle | Filed under: Uncategorized, one red paperclip | 9 Comments »**Click here to read the archived original red paperclip blog.**
On July 12, 2005 I posted a picture of a red paperclip on my blog and asked if anyone wanted to trade something bigger or better for it. A few days later I traded the paperclip, and after making 14 trades over the course of a year, I wound up with a house located at 503 Main Street in Kipling Saskatchewan.
It was an amazing year.
Here’s a cool video that covers most of the project:
Over the year of making 14 trades, I met hundreds of awesome people made great new friends, and tried out many new things. The whole experience was incredible. Some of the more ridiculous highlights:
- I was made mayor for the day of Kipling
- Dom and I were made honorary residents of Kipling for life
- I was given the key to the city.
- I received a Guinness World Record for Most Successful Internet Trade
- Kipling erected the World’s Largest Red Paperclip, another Guinness Record
- Dom and I traveled to Japan to be surprise guests on one of those crazy Japanese shows.
- Another Japanese TV show made this.
- I was on stage with Alice Cooper at a concert in Fargo.
- The press had a field day
- I wrote a book about the adventure.
- Volkswagen Spain made a TV commercial based on the story
- I starred in a Mastercard commercial.
- Grolsch Beer made a TV commercial inspired by the story
But the best thing of all was not that I wound up with a house in a year, or that the but that it was fun to do the project. By far the most important trade was when I traded away the red paperclip to start the process. If I’d never made that first trade to get things going, nothing would’ve ever happened!
I have since donated the house to the Town of Kipling, where along with the World’s Largest Red Paperclip, it is a major tourist attraction and community asset.
Wikipedia entry
Pictures
The archived one red paperclip blog
Press Coverage
wonderful. it’s amazing the things we can accomplish when we try. Thanks for the inspiration
Kyle,
I’ve been a fan of the Red Paperclip project since I first heard about it long ago. Now, I’m in charge of doing some fundraising for my company’s Relay for Life team, and I’d like to try something similar. I want to stat with something small trade up and up and sell whatever I finish with and use the money for the Relay donation. This doesn’t involve you in any way other than I wanted to ask your blessing on using your idea and welcome any suggestions you may have. If you’d rather I not copy you or if you just don’t think it will work, just let me know and I’ll put a stop to it. I’m just desperately looking for ways to make money for the team and I need something more than a car wash and a bake sale.
Thanks for your time, and for your awesome project!
Mat
Besides craigslist, how did you get so much advertising? I mean, who first did a story on you and how did it go from there?
Maybe I should read you book, huh? Is the answer in there?
The book is filled with oodles of informations and pointers, yes.
Yeah Guy
I’d read your book and yeah *_*
It was fantastic !
Congrats (:
Lena, Germany
Hi Kyle
We’ve started a similar project on Facebook (I posted a link – not sure how visible it’ll be). It’s counting towards my class’ CAS (extra-curricular work, necessary to pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma). The final item, if all goes to plan, will be auctioned or raffled for charity.
I believe you have already been invited to this group by my teacher; it would be a great honour for us if you would support us. (Yes, I spell honor with a “u” – I’m British
). Your work is an inspiration to all.
Anyway, I’m starting to ramble. I’ll just post this comment now….
Kyle,
Okay, I finally bought the book and am reading through it with much joy. Your humor suits that mysterious part deep in me that makes my lips part and let out a chuckle, or a gafaw. I cherish those moments. Anyway, I guess my trading post is a little different than yours, mostly because you’re the originator of the idea. But I am appreciating that this game is getting me off my island and helping me to meet people in my town. It’s nearly a mindblowing experience.
Thanks for being a role model!
Cheers, Sarah
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