Posted by Toby A Inkster on 02/16/07 07:59

William Mitchell wrote:

> My understanding is that story is apocryphal. The space pen, which
> both use, was developed by a private company.

Indeed, though there is an element of truth in it. The private company was
based in the USA, and presumably invested a lot of time and effort into
the development of the "space pen". After it was developed, NASA did use
it, despite the fact that normal ballpoint pens work well in space. The
Russians used ballpoint pens[1]; pencils were always deemed a fire risk.
(Graphite dust and wood shavings are both flammable.)

____
1. http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM9YN7O0MD_index_0.html

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