staplingly dull

This is the stapler I have on my desk. It's by Impega and it's made mostly out of black plastic.

Here's what it looks like when you unfold it.

And here's where you load the staples. It's got a fair load in it now.

When you turn it over, you can see this little rectangle of smooth plastic. I wish I knew why it looks like that. My colleague Philip says it might have something to do with how you manufacture the stapler.

And when you have a closer look at the design when the stapler is unfolded, you'll notice how the design calls for a spring and that it's mounted on the other side of the smooth rectangle. I'm pretty sure the depression where the spring sits corresponds with the rectangle.

Also, a message to my students: Please come back from your PRAO. Work is so incredibly dull without you here. Come back fast!