The Reason Why a Standard Piece of Paper Is 8.5 Inches by 11 Inches

(via Mental Floss) Whether you’re printing documents at home or the office, you know it’s wise to keep reams of paper on hand. But when you visit an office supply store, there isn’t a wealth of options. The standard paper size is 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches long. Which invites a bit of pulpy pondering: Who decided that?