#27: That Pen Wasn’t a Waste in Space 

There’s been a long-running joke that Americans wasted a ton of money inventing a pen for space while the Russians just used a cheap pencil, the more logical choice. This isn’t true at all. As explained below, the dust and particles were hazardous, and everyone in every space program recognized that.

While the original $1 million investment seems awfully steep, you can’t knock NASA for spending $6 on a pen. Actually, let’s put that into perspective. The pen was invented in 1968, so $6 back then would equal $46 now. There are many pens on the market that wouldn’t work in space but still cost more than $46. NASA did a great job.