21 objects that are perfectly designed and can't be improved any further

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Skye Gould/Tech Insider

Some things are so timeless, recognizable, and intuitive that it doesn't make any sense to try to improve them.

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We reached out to designers to get their take on the world's most perfectly crafted products.

We spoke with Aaron Draplin, a logo designer who's known best for his Field Notes memo books and extensive logo work, and Bill Cowles, hardware designer at Electric Objects. We also asked Peter Rohles, an industrial designer at the software company solidThinking, and Dan Formosa, a former designer at OXO, about the products that are beloved by designers and consumers alike.

Keep scrolling to see 21 items that are probably the best they'll ever be:

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Paperclip — Three turns in a piece of wire is all you need to properly secure a stack of paper.

paperclips
David/Flickr

Microplane — Essentially an oversized nail file, the sharp, lightweight device is perfect for zesting citrus fruits or grating spices directly over a dish, Formosa says.

microplane grater
Williams-Sonoma
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Levi's 501 Jeans — The original Levi's cut is roomy enough for any wearer to move in comfortably. It was as good for a ranch hand 100 years ago as it is for anyone today, Draplin says.

levi-501-jeans
Amazon

Bic ballpoint pen — The product is cheap while still being durable and reliable, Rohles says.

bic pens
Wikimedia Commons
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Spoon and fork — Eating utensils have stayed mostly the same for thousands of years for one reason: They get the job done.

fork and spoon
ruben alexander/Flickr

A memo book — "In a world of data, clicks, and dinging bells that embarrassingly has us in its grips, a pencil and a blank page in a memo book are limitless," Draplin said.

notebook-desk
Shutterstock
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A pocket T-shirt — "We hold things. And a T-shirt with a pocket on the chest? Perfection. Good for a wad of cash and an ID card, that iPhone you can't put down, or that memo book I was going on and on about," Draplin said.

front-pocket-tee
Amazon

OXO double-bladed cheese grater — Formosa says his favorite grater slices both ways, since the blades face up and down, resulting in twice the grating power.

cheese grater
Amazon
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Swingline stapler — A solid, weighty feel combined with a timeless look. "It's the Cadillac of staplers," Rohles said.

swingline stapler
JD Hancock/Flickr

Sharpie marker — The look is sleek and crisp, not to mention iconic. "People say, 'Do you have a Sharpie?' instead of, 'Do you have a marker?'" Rohles said.

sharpie marker
EricaJoy/Flickr
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Soda can tab — Cans with stay-on tabs (tabs that stay attached) emerged in the mid-1980s to replace pull-away tabs, which are taken off a can entirely. The new tab's complex system of levers and fulcrum are widely considered a feat of design genius.

soda can tab
Wojciech Kulicki/Flickr

Dixon Ticonderoga No. 2 pencil — The iconic yellow-and-green implement offers the best writing (and erasing) experience you'll find from a pencil.

Dixon Ticondergoa Assorted Pencils
Wikimedia Commons
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Post-It notes — An accident when it was invented, the Post-It, the no-frills combination of adhesive and a square piece of paper, still has no peers.

post-it notes
Steven Depolo/Flickr

Colt M1911 pistol — Just about every modern handgun was inspired by the Colt M1911 in both functionality and aesthetic. It is the gold standard.

colt 1911
Askild Antonsen/Flickr
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KitchenAid mixer — The strength and beauty of the retro chic mixer has kept it in every serious baker's kitchen since it was unveiled in 1919.

kitchenaid mixer
Neil Conway/Flickr

Jeep Wrangler — "It's a strong-looking vehicle," Rohles said. "When people think of a car they'd go off-roading in, it's usually a Hummer or a Jeep."

jeep wrangler
Abdullah AlBargan/Flickr
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Eames lounge chair — Instant recognition is usually a good sign in design. The combination of leather and wood is what make the product so striking, Rohles says.

eames lounge chair
Casey Marshall/Flickr

Maglite flashlight — Never has there been a more durable, sturdy flashlight, Rohles says. It is the standard by which other flashlights are judged.

mag lite
Wikimedia Commons
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ChapStick — "The shape hasn't changed in so long," Rohles said. And given its simple, effective construction, it doesn't need to.

ChapStick
Wikimedia Commons

Razor — Since the switch from straight razors, the way we shave hasn't changed in decades, Rohles says, even if companies market new products as innovative.

razor
Mr.TinDC/Flickr
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Chuck Taylor All-Star — At 99 years old, the sneaker recalls simpler times and offers universal appeal. It's a rare breed in fashion.

chuck taylor all-stars
Carlos Varela/Flickr
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