The Story of the Space Pen

During the space race in the 1960s, NASA’s astronauts were initially using pencils in space.

However, pencils were problematic due to both the danger of broken off pencil tips and traces of graphite floating around in the zero gravity.

As a solution, Paul C.

Fisher of Fisher Pen Co.

developed a 'space pen,' patented as AG7 'Anti-Gravity' pen, that could write in zero gravity, underwater, over wet and greasy paper, at any angle, and in extreme temperature conditions.

Contrary to popular belief, it was not commissioned by NASA.

Fisher invested about $1 million of his own money to create the pen.

Subsequently, in 1967, after rigorous testing, NASA decided to use these space pens for their Apollo missions, purchasing 400 pens at $6 per pen.

Notably, the Soviet Union also ended up using Fisher’s space pen for their manned space missions..