Natural rubber bands have been around since the 1600s and they were patented (and formally institutionalized) in England in 1845. But despite their long history, they’ve always pretty much remained the same shape, which is, of course, circular. This is only natural as the circle shape seems to be most fitted for holding objects. And the only criticism people seem to have is that they are overly expendable.

Leave it to the Japanese to reinvent the un-reinventable. Tokyo and Milan-based design firm Nendo have designed a cubic rubber band as part of a series of designy stationery items. “The geometrical shapes make the bands easy to find in a drawer and easy to pick up,” says Oki Sato, the lead designer. The cubic rubber bands are incredibly stylish and would make a great desktop accessory. Also, a pack of 3 retails for 1080 yen so these are definitely not rubber bands that you would toss after a single use!