During the first NASA missions the astronauts used pencils. For Project Gemini, NASA ordered mechanical pencils in 1965, a project that became very costly and people called it a frivolous expense. During this time period, Paul C. Fisher of the Fisher Pen Co. designed a ballpoint pen that would operate better in the unique environment of space. His new pen, with a pressurized ink cartridge, functioned in a weightless environment, underwater, in other liquids, and in terperature extremes ranging from -50F to +400 F. Fisher then developed the space pen investing about $1 million of the company's own funds, patenting the product and cornering the market as a result. In 1965 when Fisher offered these pens to NASA, the agency hesitated because of the earlier controversy. After rigourous tests, NASA managers agreed to equip the Apollo astronauts with these pens. Approximately 400 pens were purchased at $6.00 per unit. The Soviet Union also purchased 100 Fisher pens, and 1000 cartridges, in February 1969, for use on its Soyuz sapce flights. Previously, its cosmonauts had been using grease pencils to write in orbit. Both American astronauts and Soviet/Russian cosmonauts continue to use this pen. Fisher continues to market his space pens as the writing instrument that went to the Moon and has spun off this effort into a separate corporation, the Fisher Space Pen Co. SIZZLING HOT SUMMER SALE !!!! |
| THERE ARE 3 EASY WAYS TO ORDER : ONLINE: Call us: FREE 1-888-Pens Gifts Or: 718-599-6513 Fax to: 718-599-6517 Now you may order with our MULTIPLE SHIP ADDRESSES option for different presents. It's real convenient. Click on the "About Us" icon to learn more. SECURED BY YAHOO! STORE SYSTEM E-mail us |