A paper shredder is a mechanical device used to cut paper

Paper

Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....

 into chad

Chad (paper)

Chad refers to paper fragments created when holes are made in a paper, card or similar synthetic materials, typically computer punched tape or punched cards. Sometimes chad has been used as a mass noun or as a countable noun, and the plural is commonly either "chad" or "chads"...

, typically either strips or fine particles. Government organizations, businesses, and private individuals use shredders to destroy private, confidential

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is an ethical principle associated with several professions . In ethics, and in law and alternative forms of legal resolution such as mediation, some types of communication between a person and one of these professionals are "privileged" and may not be discussed or divulged to...

, or otherwise sensitive documents. Privacy

Privacy

Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves and thereby reveal themselves selectively...

 experts often recommend that individuals shred bills, tax documents, credit card and bank account statements, and other items which could be used by thieves to commit fraud

Fraud

In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...

 or identity theft

Identity theft

Identity theft is a form of stealing another person's identity in which someone pretends to be someone else by assuming that person's identity, typically in order to access resources or obtain credit and other benefits in that person's name...

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The first paper shredder is credited to prolific inventor Abbot Augustus Low

Abbot Augustus Low

Abbot Augustus Low was an entrepreneur and inventor from Brooklyn, who lived in St. Lawrence County, New York and was the owner of the Horseshoe Forestry Company...

 of Horseshoe, located on the Western shore of Horseshoe Lake, in Piercefield, New York

Piercefield, New York

Piercefield is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 305 at the 2000 census.The Town of Piercefield is in the southeast corner of the county and is southeast of Canton.- History :...

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