When NASA started sending astronauts into
space they quickly discovered that ball-point would not work in zero
gravity.

 

To combat this problem, Congress
approved a program and NASA scientists spent a decade and over $165
million developing
a pen that writes in zero gravity, upside down, on almost any surface and
at temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 300 C.  

 

The
Russians used a pencil...

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

Both U.S. astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts initially used pencils on space flights, but those writing instruments were not ideal: pencil tips can flake and break off, and having such objects floating around space capsules in near-zero gravity posed a potential harm to astronauts and equipment. (As well, after the fatal Apollo 1 fire in 1967, NASA was anxious to avoid having astronauts carry flammable objects such as pencils onboard with them.)

 

When the solution of providing astronauts with a ballpoint pen that would work under weightless conditions and extreme temperatures came about, though, it wasn't because NASA had thrown hundreds of thousands of dollars (inflated to $12 billion in the latest iterations of this tale) in research and development money at the problem. The "space pen" that has since become famous through its use by astronauts was developed independently by Paul C. Fisher of the Fisher Pen Co., who spent his own money on the project and, once he perfected his AG-7 "Anti-Gravity" Space Pen, offered it to NASA. After that agency tested and approved the pen's suitability for use in space flights, they purchased a number of the instruments from Fisher for a modest price.

 

http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp

Pencils can be erased.

I, too, dream of the good 'ol days when we thought the Earth was flat. Progress, shmogress.

 

:Straight Face:

Ink doesn't catch fire.

 

I love these posts that are factually false but confirm already held opinions.

 

Cheers!

http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp

 

Man I didn't think inflation was this bad

Old story - still not true.

 

DJ

 

 

I love these posts that are factually false but confirm already held opinions.

 

 

 

Furthermore, effective when making a political point.

Ink doesn't catch fire.

 

I love these posts that are factually false but confirm already held opinions.

 

Cheers!

It was just to be a chuckle, and then move on.  No need for Drama Queen Mode

Furthermore, effective when making a political point.

 

I guess the large font's make it believable to some. 

I guess the large font's make it believable to some. 

That's how it captured from an email that was sent to me from my brother-in-law. I thought to share the laugh.

That's how it captured from an email that was sent to me from my brother-in-law. I thought to share the laugh.

 

Over 7000 posts and you haven't figured out the humour protocol on the internet yet? Shame on you. :smile:

Hint: Preface humourous pieces with:

 

THIS IS A HUMOUROUS POST

 

That way you avoid angst.

Over 7000 posts and you haven't figured out the humour protocol on the internet yet? Shame on you. :smile:

Hint: Preface humourous pieces with:

 

THIS IS A HUMOUROUS POST

 

That way you avoid angst.

Especially in a flight sim forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Over 7000 posts and you haven't figured out the humour protocol on the internet yet? Shame on you. :smile:

Hint: Preface humourous pieces with:

 

THIS IS A HUMOUROUS POST

 

That way you avoid angst.

Ron, you made my day...and now..off to matters of State...     Cheers!