This was the first legal pad.[2] The only technical requirement for this type of stationery to be considered a true "legal pad" is that it must have margins of 1.25 inches (3.17 centimeters) from the left edge.[citation needed] Here, the margin, also known as down lines,[3] is room used to write notes or comments. Legal pads usually have a gum binding at the top instead of a spiral or stitched binding.