The myth of the expensive NASA pen versus the simple Soviet pencil
In short: A popular legend claims NASA wasted millions developing a space pen while Soviet cosmonauts used simple pencils. This story of bureaucratic failure has even appeared in TV shows like West Wing. However, the reality of how astronauts write in zero gravity is far more nuanced than this viral myth suggests.
The legend suggests that during the 1960s space race, NASA spent millions of taxpayer dollars to solve the problem of writing in weightlessness, while their Soviet counterparts simply used pencils. In reality, NASA astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts both used pencils initially. In 1965, NASA actually ordered 34 mechanical pencils from Tycam Engineering Manufacturing, Inc., paying $4,382.50 in total, which averaged out to $128.89 per pencil. This urban legend has circulated widely across the internet for years. It even gained cultural prominence during a 2002 episode of The West Wing.
The shift away from pencils was driven by safety, not just convenience. NASA needed an alternative because pencil lead can break off and float away, posing a significant hazard to both the astronauts and the spacecraft's sensitive electronics. While the pencils were expensive, the solution for space writing didn't come from government spending, but from a private investor. This transition was motivated by the need to prevent floating debris from damaging delicate equipment. The eventual solution was provided by a private entrepreneur rather than through government sub-contracting.
Paul Fisher of the Fisher Pen Company had already been developing a pressurized ink cartridge using nitrogen to push ink against a piston. Although early ballpoints were prone to leaking, skipping, or drying up, Fisher worked to refine the technology. NASA's testing helped propel this innovation, which eventually became the Fisher Space Pen. This technology was so impactful it was inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame in 2021 and is even part of the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection. The pressurized system utilized nitrogen to ensure a steady flow of ink. This innovation was eventually recognised by the Space Foundation for its significant impact on life on Earth.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Did NASA Spend Millions Developing a Pen When the Russians Used Pencils?
- Also: Fact or Fiction?: NASA Spent Millions to Develop a Pen that Would Write in Space, whereas the Soviet Cosmonauts Used a Pencil
- Also: Space Pens, Pencils, and How NASA Takes Notes in Space - NASA
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