The Origin of Notebook Margins: A Surprising Defense Against Rodent Damage to Essential Documents

Often viewed as a mere stylistic choice, the margins in notebooks actually serve a crucial practical function. The roots of this practice can be traced back to a time when rats, notorious for gnawing at paper, posed a significant threat to important documents and notes in households. The incorporation of wide margins in paper design was a strategic move to safeguard the valuable content. Intriguingly, these pesky rodents would embark on their paper feast from the edges, leaving the central content untouched thanks to the protective barrier of the margin!

As you jot down notes in your notebook, consider the intriguing history of the seemingly insignificant margins. These blank spaces were originally designed as a safeguard for your writings against the destructive tendencies of gnawing rodents.