Chris Johnstone was a farmer and a bagpipe player and also had a kind of head start - he was the Great-Nephew of Ernest Rutherford. He put his genetic predisposition for splitting to good work, and created the Eze-Pull. It is so effective that you can remove even the most reluctant staple, "If you can see it, you can pretty much get it out."
Did you know the first New Zealand-published standard was for number 8 wire; issued in 1938? NZSS 143:1938 galvanised (zinc coated) steel fencing wire - see details on www.standards.co.nz