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A Fahnestock clip is a type of spring-loaded electrical terminal designed for making quick, temporary connections to bare wires. Patented in 1907, it consists of a single piece of springy metal, often phosphor bronze or spring steel, bent to form a clip. A user simply pushes down on a small tab, which opens a hole or slot where a stripped wire can be inserted. Releasing the tab allows the spring's tension to clamp down on the wire, creating a secure mechanical and electrical connection.
While largely superseded by more modern connectors like binding posts and screw terminals, Fahnestock clips remain popular in specific applications. Their ease of use makes them ideal for educational settings and electronic kits, where students and hobbyists can quickly assemble and disassemble low-voltage circuits without soldering. They were also historically used on early radio receivers, model trains, and dry cell batteries.
Fahnestock clips were invented by John Schade Jr. He was granted a patent for the "SPRING TERMINAL-CLIP" on February 26, 1907, and assigned the patent to the Fahnestock Electric Co. This is why the clips bear the Fahnestock name, even though Schade was the inventor. The Fahnestock Electric Co. was a manufacturer of electrical components, and the clip became one of their signature products.
The clips are an icon of early radio home brewing. They are still sold today, more than a century after their introduction.