From a red paperclip
to a house.
In 2005, one man proved that a series of small trades could lead to something extraordinary. His experiment inspired a movement—and this platform.
Kyle MacDonald's experiment
On July 14, 2005, Canadian blogger Kyle MacDonald posted a photo of a single red paperclip on his website with a simple proposition: he wanted to trade it for something bigger or better. Then he would trade that item, and the next, and keep going until he reached his ultimate goal—a house.
What followed was a chain of 14 trades over one year. The paperclip became a fish-shaped pen, which became a hand-sculpted doorknob, which became a camping stove. The stove led to a generator, then a "party kit" with an empty beer keg and neon sign, then a snowmobile.
The trades got bigger: a trip to Yahk, British Columbia. A box truck. A recording contract. A year's rent in Phoenix. An afternoon with Alice Cooper. A KISS snow globe. A movie role offered by director Corbin Bernsen.
On July 12, 2006—almost exactly one year after that first post—the town of Kipling, Saskatchewan, traded Kyle a two-story farmhouse in exchange for the movie role. One red paperclip had become a home.
What we're building
Same spirit, new tools.
Open to everyone
Kyle did it solo. Here, anyone can create a campaign and start trading up from whatever they have.
Dual confirmation
Both parties confirm every trade before it goes through. No surprises, no disputes.
Campaign-based
Every trade-up journey is a campaign with a clear start item and goal. Track progress along the way.
Community-driven
Follow campaigns, make offers, and cheer people on. Trading up is more fun together.
One Red Paperclip is an independent project inspired by Kyle MacDonald's experiment. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Kyle MacDonald in any way.
Ready to start your own trade-up?
Create a campaign, list your start item, and see how far you can go.