NASA spent Millions creating a pen that would write in space…the Soviets just used a pencil
You’ve heard the story before but is it fact or fiction?
Originally, both NASA and the Soviets used pencils. NASA paid $4,400 for 34 mechanical pencils in ’65. If you were to calculate the inflation, it would be as if NASA spent $32,000 on 34 pencils today – an astonishing $950/pencil. You can imagine the outrage when these prices became public.
NASA only became involved with the project once the product was finalized.
Paul C. Fisher and his company were said to have invested $1 million to create the first space pen. Fortunately none of this money came from NASA but rather the Fisher Pen Company. NASA only became involved with the project once the product was finalized. The switch saved them a lot of money.
Since they bought them in bulk, NASA spent less than $1,000 for 400 space-ready pens in ’68 (roughly $2.40/pen).
Now that we’ve explained the history we can get on with the product. Apolis has their own version of the anti-gravity refillable ballpoint pen. The AG7 is your standard nitrogen pressurized ballpoint with a PR4 black ink cartridge. It even has the engraved Apolis info on this shiny reflective chrome. You may never need an anti-gravity pen but how cool is it to say you own one? Pretty damn cool.
AG7 Pen ($58 USD) from Apolis – available here
