NASA's Million Dollar Space Pen vs The Soviet Pencils

The story of the NASA’s million $ space pen and the soviet pencils has become one of the enduring tales from the space race which still floats around the internet today and goes a bit like this.
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During the 1960’s as NASA was sending the first men in the space, they realise that pens don’t work in zero gravity, so they spent years and millions of tax payer dollars to develop one that did. Meanwhile, in the Soviet Union, the cosmonauts simply used pencils.
The moral of the story to many is that NASA was a wasteful government organisation that would be giving your hard earned TAX dollars to some greedy contractors charging sky high prices for a seemingly trivial object whereas the enemy, the Soviets, where common sense and practical.
But the story is a myth, however like all good myths it’s based on facts, facts which over time like Chinese whispers end up as grossly exaggerated stories which then are taken at face value and purport to be the real facts.
The true story of the “Space Pen” is a bit more down to earth and starts with a sandwich on the Gemini 3 mission of March 23rd, 1965.
The crew of the flight were Gus Grissom and John Young. After the mission, it came to light that John Young had smuggled a sandwich on board in his space suit pocket.
Although it had been allowed by the director of flight operations, it was frowned upon by the flight surgeon because when they took bites out of the two-day old sandwich in orbit, the crumbs floated around the cabin in micro gravity and that these could get into the electronics and cause a problem.
At the time, the astronauts had an exclusive deal with “Life” magazine and some thought that they had planned little stunts like this, so as to reveal them in upcoming articles. In the earlier Mercury missions, it had been common place for non-flight items to have been taken on board missions.
When it was then discovered that the two mechanical pencils the crew were using, cost $128.84 each ($986 today) and that NASA had bought 34 of them for a total of $4,382.50, the equivalent of $33,700 in 2017 prices, the press had a field day and there was a public outcry.
It turned out that the actual pencils cost $1.75 each but they had custom made housings so that the crew could hold and write with them whilst wearing their thick space suit gloves and it was the R&D and manufacturing cost of these housings which was where the bulk of the money had really gone.
The issue here is that people might not know what a flight computer or a rocket engine costs but when they see a pencil costing $128, they might well think what else have unscrupulous contractors been overcharging for.
After an investigation, as to what was being carried on to missions, it also turned out that they also had on board four Japanese Pentel pencils which cost $0.49c each, something NASA definitely didn’t want to be known about when they flew alongside the $128 American versions.
During the mid-1960’s, Paul Fisher, inventor and owner of the Fisher Pen Company patented what he called the “space pen”.
Fisher knew of the issues with the NASA pencils and had the idea of making a pen that would work in space. The Space pen had a cartridge pressurised with nitrogen and that used a special gel ink that became liquid when the ballpoint rotated against the gel. It could write at any angle, on almost any surface, in a vacuum, even underwater and work in temperatures from -46C to +71C.
However, he didn’t have any official backing, nor was he contracted by NASA, it was just his idea to make the perfect pen and he funded it privately by his company to the tune of a reportedly $1 million, how true that figure was, might be up for question but its where the $million price tag comes from.

[@Crlarl]

As is often the case, reality is more interesting than fiction.

[@kotoba4399]

this face.......

[@Talashaoriginal]

Indeed.

[@garethchild]

Exactly. It's a very interesting story.

[@redheadrusskie]

Nah, reality's still dull shit in comparison for most cases.

[@paulembleton1733]

John McChicken Nah, these six minutes describe pure drama. Whereas the popular story about pencils v pens is inane at best, and very boring.

[@spengu64]

Graphite conducts electricity, it was a problem in open circuit environment. Both Nasa and Soviets used pencils during the early days, both replaced them with these pens for the same reason. Still a great myth, unfortunately misleading.

[@babaloo7016]

spengu64 what about all the water. The astronots play with .they just love playing with H2O

[@fritzkier]

Baba Loo70 are you sure they played it near electrical component?

[@darksideorbit8898]

Everything conducts electricity, but graphite is definitely much more conductive than the pen liquid. It's only exposed for a short amount of time as it's pressurized. So the chance of electricity conducting through it is very slim. Also graphite is extremely conductive so using it on a rocket ship is a big no-no.

[@MrJdsenior]

Not sure graphite dust would cause a problem, considering how much they wrote, but if there was open circuitry, a snapped non-retrieved (lost) tip could certainly cause a problem. Good point. It was frequently that kind of out there stupid sounding stuff that caused problems, actually, like the switch in the wrong position causing all the stack overflow alarms on Apollo's first Moon landing. You could tell, by voice, heart rate, and the pointed "can you give me a reading on that" from Armstrong that it was bothering/distracting him. NOT a good time for that.

[@TheFootbaldd]

Coming from someone who has operated in a Navy engine room, we took a ton of logs, some hourly, some more frequently. There were some stations where you would log a hundred instruments every hour. I would imagine they wrote a ton of logs in the space program, but who knows. That could result in a lot of carbon particles deposited in the environment. Did they use conformal coatings on their circuit boards?

[@RCAvhstape]

And the winner is: Fisher! They still sell those pens today.

[@trevor7850]

Seems like very well earned success. They saw a problem, engineered a solution, and sold it to these space agencies at a reasonable price. That’s capitalism at its best.

[@toasterbathboi6298]

Helium Road yup! I bought a bullet style space pen at the Kennedy space center, complete with a nasa insignia on the cap.

[@honkhonk8009]

Seriously?????

[@BubbafromSapperton]

I got my first Space pen way back in 1969 or so, haven't had one in years but needed one for working in the rain... got one on the weekend and used it today, what a great pen!

[@catnium]

bet ya guy did not pay 6 bucks for it like Russia did tho

[@colinmartin9797]

I'm a paramedic and swear by my fisher ag-7. It works great with big heavy gloves. I loved it so much that I asked fisher (who still makes it in the original factory on the original equipment) for one without the chrome plating since the underlying brass is antimicrobial. They said that they couldn't do that for me, but they had a prototype one in raw brass that they'd made years ago that they never went through with producing, and just gave it to me. It's the ag-11 with a little space shuttle on the clip, but otherwise the same as the original 7. So now I have a literal one of a kind space pen from fisher. Truly awesome company that makes a truly awesome product.

[@colinmartin9797]

The fisher AG-7 is actually still made. On the same machinery to the same specifications in the USA. It is an immensely satisfying little pen, with a cool snap action and writes on ANYTHING. Only costs about $30.

[@colinmartin9797]

Andrew Harnsberger no! The cartridges themselves are pressurized with nitrogen and a special gel ink that only becomes liquid as the ball rolls past it, so you can use the entire ink cartridge as a result, too You just toss them when they're empty. The cartridges are about $5 but last quite a long time and the quality is superb. I am a diehard fountain pen user but sometimes you need a ballpoint, and I wouldn't trade my fisher space pen ag-7 for anything!

[@MrAluminox]

Colin I do agree. I used the Fisher pens while sailing, as it doesn't care about humidity, and writes on any surface. A very reliable pen.

[@pythongunner]

There's a Fisher on my desk and in my pocket,how about you?

[@thestudentofficial5483]

Lol, student ballpoint cost like 30¢ here

[@dorianlindberg1662]

I use the bullet pen(like the one on the Seinfeld ep.). It is fantastic being a cook sometimes bits of oil or watery juices from whatever I am working on sometime spill on my papers yet I can still write on them. A slightly expensive buy, but with my name engraved on it for no extra cost nobody steals my nice pen anymore :P Btw - I am not a front for fisher... I just like their product/service.

[@Ccodebits]

Do anyone else hear the high pitch dog whistle ( or ringing) sound at 0:50-0:53?

[@Delurpee]

I thought nothing of that until this comment

[@bishopofthechurchoftea7742]

Same lol

[@ananfaiz9900]

I thought I went deaf

[@Declan-pg8cg]

Yeah, it rose in pitch very quickly then just stopped. Probably a sound issue.

[@Xela42]

Bomb has been planted.

[@parthkhaladkar9017]

3 Idiots anyone? “Ye Astronosssstsss pen hai!”

[@realeyes8199]

Lol

[@randomdude9135]

@@realeyes8199 yeah, that's why I searched it

[@tousifahmed8162]

yup

[@akashdeepkumar751]

Everyone knows communism is better capitalism

[@HeadsetHatGuy]

@@kredziigaming981 go to gulag blyat

[@ricefarmer5246]

astronaut: oh hey let’s use pencils *5 minutes later* astronauts: AH MY EYES ARE FULL OF PENCIL LEAD AND ERASER BITS

[@jobaecker9752]

Fantastic! This story kind of...um...writes itself!

[@cloroxbleach9612]

Jo Baecker I see what you did there...

[@-danR]

I see what he wrote there...

[@ssstjepannn]

*smiles* i get it

[@Brinta3]

It’s a good thing that this piece of history hasn’t been... erased.

[@coreyfellows9420]

Ok, I'm gonna give u a like...only cause it's so dumb it's funny.

[@bamjo8750]

I am so sick of this myth being spread around. Thanks for this!

[@cathyherrera7886]

bamjo Still don't makeup for purchasing a $0.40 pencil for $120

[@rhamby3470]

@@cathyherrera7886 they eventually changed that. The space pen fixed the problem.

[@larsonwells2656]

Why? Who the hell are you?

[@noop9k]

This is propaganda with clear political agenda. Quite possible that a lot more than a million was spent to promote and spread it.

[@buttsufancypantsu1644]

@Bad Cattitude That's no myth, it's a fact, just like the fact that you're about as clever as an eight year old on glue

[@frivolas]

Oh man, I've heard this story told so many times, from professors to consultants, to all sorts of experts. Always with the moral of simplicity and efficiency. You're absolutely right when you say that rumors are eventually turned into truths. Loved this video. Thanks for sharing it!

[@getx1265]

I have a Space pen I've used regularly for the past several years. Very cool when writing while lying on my back.

[@originalbluebuddha]

What a fantastic channel. You deserve more subs.

[@BrazilianGaucho]

Or at least a compliment written with a space pen.

[@robinbhattacharya4725]

Great content and narration. Keep this up Curious Droid.

[@moviepassion7995]

Such a well rounded explaination video. Props

[@davidswift9120]

So...as always...I love your no nonsense down to earth accounts of these things. What I'd like to know however, is how long it takes you to research these seemingly trivial - but important - adjustments to public perception. Hats off to you!

[@iangeraris5202]

love your space stories!!

[@jollyandwaylo]

I have carried a space pen in my pocket for years and it is very useful in construction work. It writes on damp paper, it never leaks, it writes upside down and I have the version that comes apart to fit in my pants pocket. Great invention.

[@phlogistanjones2722]

They make DayGlo Orange now and even a DayGlo Yellow. I got one of each for construction work and they are gems.

[@MuhammadAdeelbutt]

As all your other videos, loved this one as well. Thanks again for sharing information in a way dummies like me can comprehend :)

[@davidogan]

Another excellent episode as usual! Thank you. I’m so impressed by your channel.

[@RonJohn63]

Back in the day, when I first heard of this, and "Soviet pencils", the *first* thing I thought was, "Graphite sure is conductive. Floating around and getting stuck in a switch *can't* be a Good Thing."

[@slome815]

Yeah, this fear was one reason that they stopped using them. But still, pencils were used without problems by both the soviets and the US in the early days. The dust is in reality too fine to cause problems with switches. The main reason for not using pencils is just the inconvenience of it all, when points break or wear out, you have to sharpen them constantly.

[@mikester1290]

Yes, and when you sharpen them, it's not always dust sized pieces that come off.

[@ausintune9014]

RonJohn63 it has to bridge the gap so it's only a problem in computers and the pieces have to be bigger then half a mill

[@RonJohn63]

_it's only a problem in computers_ Why *only* computers?

[@naphackDT]

Well regardless of how hazardous it actually is, you would want to cut down on the dust floating around in your cabin either way.

[@vaos3712]

This is freaking fantastic!! I love it! Your awesome!!

[@MyPaulo1988]

Yet another brilliant video Paul ☺ keep up the good work

[@mosindesire]

Your delivery is just spot on. You know when to zing the line a bit and when its serious stuff. No bs, just the facts, really enjoy the videos.

[@canyoudigit5058]

WHAT a great story teller. This channel is one of KZbin's best. Learning has never been so interesting.

[@dostthouevenlogicbrethren1739]

Got the pen. It writes amazing. Definitely works to at least -30 C. Can attest to that first hand.

[@jerobriggs6861]

Very nice video. I've been watching a lot of them lately, and I love them. Thanks for the informative and interesting video.

[@gearheadgaming1537]

You are so great man never stop making videos you present with an exquisite vigor

[@barrysfannystore5664]

I have a space pen and it was the best $25 AUD in my life. Totally worth it.

[@slammds15]

Interesting stories! great channel!

[@exponvaldese]

I really enjoyed this video, thanks for providing it.

[@gregoryharris6834]

If you are a space/science aficionado, this is, without a doubt, one of the best channels on KZbin. I often visit older videos like this one to make sure I'm remembering things correctly or to explore space/science trivia I've not checked into before. Top notch, well-researched content. Mr. Shillito is one of the best presenters of science, space and tech that I've ever seen/heard/watched.

[@eliott.6997]

Very interesting! =) Fantastic video!

[@PelenTan]

Sweet. Very nicely done.

[@blackforest3912]

Thank you very much for this rectification.

[@BertGrink]

I always feel calm and relaxed when i listen to Curious Droid's voice - plus his topics are always very interesting. Thanks for the good work, CD!

[@joeevans84]

Nice to finally understand that one

[@huevos808]

Comon, what sounds cooler. A NASA space pen or a Soviet Pencil?

[@huevos808]

A soviet pencil sounds like some kind of punishment in a russian gulag

[@joelights6476]

A red rocket? Wait, that sounds like something from the nether region of a dog.

[@dzonikg]

and still NASA pays Russians to take them to space

[@Wafflepudding]

Glorious Soviet pencil is better. Disagree and go to Gulag.

[@1pcfred]

NASA pays Russians because someone has to pay Russians. If we didn't people that we didn't want to gladly would.

[@familynichols1746]

Love your videos so much. Thank you!

[@joebaseball17]

Love this guy! Keep up the good work!

[@jarodstevens2710]

awesome!!! as usual.

[@yak141freestyle2]

You know youve done something right when your boss got angry at you for "smuggling a sandwhich into space"

[@Woodgate425]

As usual an excellent video, keep up the good work.

[@hamadalhussain1286]

Great informative video. Thanks! Magical background music too.

[@mellingmichael777]

Pretty cool. I recently bought two Space Pens and have a couple of more soon coming in the mail. I'm a lefty and all of the pens I've boughten would skip due to the angle of my hand, and so it's a wonderful surprise to discover these pens with their old technology actually outperform more modern and expensive ones! As an added bonus they're made here in my state, Nevada! Thanks much for posting this informative video!!:-)

[@HypocrisyPolice69]

This guy looks and sounds like the nicest guy ever. Great informative video, keep it up :)

[@jakobole]

Fantastic material again. Thanks

[@richcolour]

Thanks CD, great vid as usual.

[@bearlemley]

I give the Apollo 11 commemorative edition away as holiday gifts on Newton’s birthday. They have great Apollo engravings and they last a long time. I’ve used an AG7 in my cockpit for decades.

[@laserfloyd]

Thanks for sharing that. You always hear that story floating around (pun intended).

[@karlhenderson1908]

Thank you CD. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[@Jarris2]

So informative, without the fluff. Thank you from a new subscriber!

[@stevesmith1810]

0:50-0:53 that sound is horrendous...some kind of high pitched note.

[@aspir4368]

Steve Smith awful

[@LightRealms]

Steve Smith I didn't even notice it until after reading this comment XD

[@DavidCurryFilms]

What sound ?

[@Dylan12000000000000]

Thank you for saying something lmaoooo

[@LordZero666]

Hahaha. I love an old myth being debunked. I learned something new today and that's extra sweet.

[@britishagent]

Great videos, much appreciated!

[@amphibiousone7972]

You do a ton of research. This was a good one. Thanks.

[@Pussilover56]

The fragments of the pencil lead are deadly in the weightlessness of the spacecraft, since flying in the cockpit, they can fly into the electrical networks of computers or power grids. The one who studied at school, understands what it means. This is a ready recipe for an accident.

[@gavinjenkins899]

Yes it is an extremely good conductor. I'm not sure why sticking it in a socket would do anything useful, though. Either it connects through your body and hurts you, or it doesn't and does nothing, since it's not completing any circuit, and pencils are not fork shapes to go in more than one socket hole at once.

[@jonathantan2469]

Graphite is a conductor. It's less conductive than copper but has the same conductivity close to nichrome... which by the way, is what the heating elements in toasters are made of. If a pencil lead breaks off & the crew doesn't catch it, it'll be floating around & could potentially short out electronic circuits. A mechanical pencil lead can short out the circuits, or become a heating element in an oxygen rich space capsule. Also, pencil leads getting in astronauts eyes aren't pleasant.

[@seraphina985]

+Jonathan Tan Not to mention ideally you don't particularly want mineral dusts in air people are going to breathe, human lungs don't take overly kindly to most solids getting stuck inside them. Sure probably would not inhale anything like enough on a 6 month mission to the ISS to cause issues but still probably best not to have astronauts inhaling the stuff when we do know full well that solid carbon dusts are well not good for lungs, just need to review the medical literature on coal miners to know that much.

[@joefagan9335]

Jonathan Tan ... eyes or lungs!

[@zero5496]

Well you can used alphabet soap, without the soap of course

[@christophergrove4876]

Ha! I never knew the true story. I actually bought a silver Fisher Space Pen back in the late 70s and then later bought the compact, capped (not clickable) pocketable version. I ALWAYS have one in my pocket! Thanks for the cool story!

[@justinsincoise6693]

Still have it?

[@christophergrove4876]

@@justinsincoise6693 The original? I wish!

[@raulrrojas]

Very good story and video, as allways. Thank you for clarifying the mith.

[@Goforitmanager]

What a great story, thank you for sharing and telling it so well as always.

[@metalsmyth6945]

Anybody else think about the Seinfeld episode with the space pen? Lmao!

[@nguyendailam6703]

Take the pen!

[@apache16789]

I've never known anybody to have so much knowledge on such a vast array of subjects. How do you do it? And presentation is very professional too; nice steady voice, easy to listen to and easy to follow and understand. Great videos. Enjoy all of them. Keep them coming.

[@ivanlagrossemoule]

Probably good research skills. It's more important to know where to find information than knowing the information.

[@deerlord2363]

At the end of some other videos there's the name of the person who does the research and the script.

[@davidchalmers6753]

Google....

[@mikesimmons852]

You really don’t know where he finds the information? You have no idea? Not even a guess? Nothing? SMFH

[@Speedj2]

yeah, very professional... except for that ear-piercing electronic noise at about 0:50

[@JayAgassi]

Love this channel. Amazing content narrated in a very interesting presentation👍🤟

[@KrisRifa]

Amazing story, and amazing channel! Love your content :)

[@InvincibleExtremes]

I use this pen going on 10 years in the army now, always in my wallet. It kicks butt.

[@MajorplayLP]

Yea thanks for 0:49, my ears are bleeding now

[@rayhoodoo847]

What?

[@TheActualDP]

Yeah why was that high pitched tone even there?

[@andrasczeto3160]

Same question.

[@AndTecks]

I thought my tumor was acting up.

[@EdilbertoAriasRolon]

many people can't heart it... must be 16.000hz+ (something like that)

[@PanchosView]

Great video. Very well explained!

[@Wineman3383]

Excellent story telling my dude.

[@danceswithcritters]

wonder if etch-a-sketch works in zero gravity?

[@zemzem8323]

danceswithcritters if it doesn't work they will make it work- filming magic

[@Useaname]

Or a spirofoil

[@avitimushi1541]

Droid, thanks for the space pen. Once again the power of explanation triumphs but only to those who are open minded and skeptic.

[@SithLord2066]

idk why but this is actually the most fun video I've seen on Curious Droid channel.

[@CrazyOnTheWall]

Really enjoy these videos deserve more subs!

[@Kohdok]

I love that little idiom about the development of the Space Pen. But then you learn the context of graphite and pencil shavings and how pencils are a much worse idea. I did not know that the Russians ordered Space Pens, too! Talk about the shoe being on the other foot in this story!

[@aformerogr]

Who would smuggle a corn beef sandwich into space?. I guess astronaut food is not good at all lol.

[@enticingFicus]

Andres Romero -They were still just cocky test pilots who probably enjoyed giving the anxiety-ridden higher-ups grief as much as a little brother likes annoying his sister. Taking people used to high-stakes scenarios (ie. testing a plane, combat, etc) and putting them in a box to push buttons and follow instructions (instead of use their talent) is a recipe for pranks just to watch someone blow a gasket. From that perspective it’s really hilarious.

[@johnny_eth]

Try eating dehydrated spinach for a coupe days.

[@robertbeach6727]

How about a golf club and golf balls to the moon.

[@lavellweathersby985]

Robert Beach for the longest golf drive in the galaxy... universe.

[@ericjamieson]

+Lavell Weathersby That's another myth. It's really hard to swing a golf club in a space suit (he had to do it one-handed) so it didn't actually go very far.

[@npsit1]

I love your channel. Well done.

[@jsfbr]

Wow! Such a beautiful story! Thanks a lot!

[@sankarabhilash1]

Can't use pencil in space , bad idea , shrapnel will float and can enter nose or eye and could have caused damage to instuments

[@N0Xa880iUL]

"3 Idiots" movie fans will get the reference as well.

[@parthkhaladkar9017]

"THIS is for winners, NAAT loosers"

[@Subhash_bhatt]

Salo ne logo ko chutiya banaya

[@DandamanV]

I'm a recent subscriber, I'm hooked because your narratives are so well presented! Amazing channel!

[@Capellix0001]

No matter how many times I rewatch, the video keeps getting better

[@OwenRhodri]

3:04 Someone smuggled a bra onboard? Were they missing their partners and some hapless crew member had to dress up and 'take one for the team'.

[@HankenORIGINAL]

Actually it's a well known fact that NASA cofunded the first space missions by selling shemale porn shot in space.

[@saltysoysauce954]

@@HankenORIGINAL Lmfao

[@anishnehete]

Lol

[@jimmym3352]

LOL, I want to learn about the story behind that one. On second thought, maybe I don't want to know. Don't ask don't tell.

[@gregcushing1716]

Someone's brown eye turned blue

[@viniciusnoyoutube]

The best video about this myth.

[@coopercarter]

Couldn't love this channel more.

[@ScienceChap]

I love seeing historic "truths" debunked like this... Brilliant!

[@cindercinnamon2204]

Hey you. Yeah you there scrolling the comments. I know you're procrastinating!

[@herbderbler1585]

I'll procrastinate tomorrow. Right now I'm diligently clearing out my "watch later" list. This is an important online housekeeping procedure that any responsible individual must periodically undertake.

[@irumicu]

Shut up!

[@donrobertson4940]

I was procrastinating. Now I'm losing all hope for humanity, and fighting back the tears. Never read the comments

[@kingslushie1018]

Oh shoot you caught me

[@moldoveanu8]

Damn it, caught me

[@bugatti9218]

Definitely one of the more interesting subjects you've described, Well done

[@elstevobevo]

Thanks for this one.

[@robertlight5227]

And that Fisher pen saved two lives on Apollo 11. Neil inadvertently turned in his space suit when coming back inside the LEM and damaged a launch toggle switch for the ascent stage rocket. Buzz would later use the Fisher pen at the precise launch moment to jam it into the damaged toggle, lever it over, so they could take off. True story.

[@jerrywh3]

Robert Light sorry your true story is wrong. It's clearly stated in mission transcripts and Buzz's own writing it was a felt tip pen. The Fisher pen was metal and could conduct electricity arcing out the wires in the switch. The felt tip was a plastic case.

[@alisonfisher1877]

jerrywh3 Actually the Fisher Pen was used to enable take off, ultimately allowing the astronauts to return home safely. Unfortunately the reason Buzz later claimed he used a felt pen (which would not write in zero g) is because he was disgruntled after seeking payment from Fisher for using his image in the space suit on some of their packaging and advertising materials, which the company refused to give because those pictures were/are considered public images. Without knowing the history, no one would even be able to tell it was Buzz. The amount he was asking for was, although I don’t know the exact amount, pretty high almost to the point of being considered ridiculous. Buzz did have his own struggles with alcoholism which may possibly have motivated him to seek out the money well after the historical event took place.

[@davidmalagon9757]

am I tripping or is there a dog whistle in the background?

[@katfranks1815]

David Malagon I hear it too! Not just on this video either. Wth

[@NeilRoy]

That was far more interesting that I thought it would be. Thanks. :)

[@Bluefox1978]

I have always loved this story! Thanks for sorting this out for me in plain English

[@nathanx.675]

A million dollar for a pen? This is almost as bad as Obamacare.

[@magnetiktrax]

Space Myth Busters :-)

[@wade0051]

Very interesting! Great video.

[@lazydavid]

Just found your channel. I always appreciate an intelligent person. Subbed.

[@Daniel.Liddicoat]

I love it when someone smashes a stupid urban myth into the ground

[@zefrinalabdacida295]

Well I paid 25 Euros for my Fisher Space pen!

[@liucyrus22]

Inflation?!

[@JohnWilliamNowak]

Fisher makes a lot of different models - offhand, you can spend anywhere from $10 to $80 for one.

[@johnny_eth]

You should have bought 400 to get a bulk discount

[@robertbeach6727]

Back in the 60s I bought 2 of these l pens as gifts at $10 each. They're nice pens.

[@patpat0015]

I buy 2 space pen for 20$ each.I lost both of them :( Put really pratical during winter

[@AuthenticDarren]

An excellent video, I appreciate these kinds of stories. I could have written this same comment on many a Curious Droid video too.

[@philwaters9751]

Superbly told, with just the right pinch of irony added with superior timing. An old story made magical once more. Thanks Mr Droid. .. xxx ;-)

[@doughnutsandcoffee8622]

Soviets: "Clearly pens don't work in space-" *AMERICA* : *CAN WE FIX THIS* ?