The humble ballpoint pen is an item so ubiquitous the chances of you not having one near you right now are so low E.T could probably give you the percentage on his right hand. Few people realize just how much technology, craftsmanship and effort goes into creating a single pen- probably because you can buy 30 of them for a few dollars, only to mysteriously have them all disappear within a week.

According to an Associated Press report from February 1968, NASA ordered 400 of Fisher's antigravity ballpoint pens for the Apollo program. A year later, the Soviet Union ordered 100 pens and 1,000 ink cartridges to use on their Soyuz space missions, said the United Press International. The AP later noted that both NASA and the Soviet space agency received the same 40 percent discount for buying their pens in bulk. They both paid $2.39 per pen instead of $3.98.

A (successful) attempt to copy a novel with a single pencil. Took some ingenuity towards the end.

Suggestions for cleaning Pelikan inks. Pretty darn nifty! You might be able to extrapolate it for other brands.

The back of the laptop has been, historically, bare and useless. Quickly turn this space into a portable whiteboard with custom cut DrawTop vinyl adhesives.

Get rid of backs of envelopes, lunch table napkins, and clumsy whiteboard apps -- design and collaborate in any meeting where you carry your laptop.

Use DrawTop to turn heads and attract attention to your message in coffee shops, conferences, and on the bus. Leave yourself notes, make a to-do list, send a message, post a sign, design a website, design the world -- get drawing!

Essay on wooden pencils

Journals