By Uncle Staple
I am often asked about the origin of the name STAPLE!, why the show is called that, and what it means. Well, buckle up…
History
In 2004, during the early planning stages of the first show (March 5, 2005) we were brainstorming names on the Austin Sketch Group (ASG) message board. I was trying out acronyms, as many indie cons seem to use them, but with poor results. Other folks threw some decent ideas out there, but then someone suggested “staple” and my brain rang like a bell. “That’s it!” The ALL CAPS + the “!” was my contribution, as well as the addendum of “The Independent Media Expo”. I chose the word “media” rather than “comics” as I wanted it to indicate an openness to purveyors of other pursuits like zines, art, games, and what-have-you.
I no longer remember who suggested it, and that old PHBB board no longer exists for me to check, but I ran into John Rubio at the 2024 show and I asked him if he could recall. John had founded and led the ASG back then, and he also designed the STAPLE! logo that is still in use today. He thought the suggestion came from Joe Riley, a local artist, illustrator & cartoonist who sadly passed in 2014. If that was you Joe, thanks forever. Miss you, man.
But what does it mean? To me at least, there are several deep onion-like layers embedded in that simple word.
The Deep Dive
The most obvious reference is that humble office product that is its namesake, the staple. Anyone who has made their own comics or zines will be intimately familiar with these small metal fasteners. Perhaps you’ve had one stuck in your finger. Occasionally frustrating, but integral to the production & assembly of the work.
What does a staple do? It connects pieces of paper, bringing them together into a cohesive whole. STAPLE! the Expo connects people, creating a community of those who make things and those who appreciate those creators and their creations.
To staple something is an activity, and therefore the word is also a verb. I like to say that it’s the imperative form of the verb. As in, “Hey you! STAPLE!” i.e., “Make something!” An enthusiastic exhortation to create.
Merriam Webster also gives us some other definitions.
Noun:
- a commodity for which the demand is constant
- something having widespread and constant use or appeal
- the sustaining or principal element : SUBSTANCE
Adjective:
- used, needed, or enjoyed constantly, usually by many individuals
Much like we need staple foods to survive, we need art, storytelling, and community to enjoy life, find meaning, and thrive. To feed our mind and soul. These things sustain our humanity. STAPLE! as an event brings together those who both create and enjoy the staples that we need.
Connection. Creation. Sustenance.
Only after many years of contemplation have I been able to find and extract these deeper meanings from the word and form them into (hopefully) coherent thoughts. Though I may have had an inkling of them that day in 2004, I certainly had no idea the event would last this long or mean this much to this many people.
So what does STAPLE! mean to you?