Talk:Space Pen

Writes on glass

According to the article: Can write on surfaces such as plastic or glass.

Mine sure doesn't write on glass...so is this inaccurate, or am I just not good at writing on glass?

The term 'ultra-hard' sounds more like advertising than useful description. Was this article written to advertise the product? How hard is it?

-> Generally most manufacturers of ballpoint refills use tungsten carbide for the ball - so that's nothing special about this pen.

Unique design?

The design of the "bullet" space pen isn't all that unique -- or did the Fisher bullet come before the Eversharp Kimberly Pockette? See http://www.decodog.com/inven/stars/st25596.jpg to get an idea of the Kimberly's design. -- Flexiblefine 16:01, 2 November 2005 (UTC)

The lines of the bullet space pen when closed and expanded are near perfect, everything fits together perfectly, and the design is simple and elegant. That is probably why it recieves so much praise. it is like the ipod of pens.--Geedubber 06:33, 29 March 2006 (UTC)

How is this cheaper?

The article says:

The thixotropic ink in the hermetically sealed and pressurised reservoir is claimed to write for three times longer than a standard ballpoint pen. The pen can usually write up to 12,500 feet. This makes the space pen cheaper.

I don't understand what relevance the "cheaper" comment has. Sounds like more marketing to me.

Also, it says:

The gas is pressurised at nearly 50 pounds per square inch (340 kPa). This is because the ink is forced out by nitrogen gas.

Was this translated? I would write:

The ink is forced out by nitrogen gas pressurized at nearly 50 pounds per square inch (340kPa).

KeithC 22:02, 14 March 2006 (UTC)

I think the author was referring to the x3 lifespan. Fixed. --David Youngberg 23:23, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

Long Life Span?

I believe the 100 year shelf life refers only to the pen, and that the ink does deteriorate over time.--24.128.150.180 20:13, 1 April 2006 (UTC)

Manufacturers

Nowadays there's not only Fisher manufacturing such pens since patents must have expired after more than 40 years.

See http://www.diplomat-pen.de/en/spacetec.aspx for a series of biros using pressurized refills - most models with the same cartridge type as Fisher's. Diplomat is also selling refills.

See also http://www.schmidt-feintechnik.de for their 'MegaLine' gas pressurized refills fitting both Fisher Space pen and Diplomat Spacetec models.

Man of The Year

I think this was also referenced in the featured film "Man of The Year" 67.162.4.137 02:44, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

Spoiler

The reference to Diane Duane's book appears to contain a spoiler. However, the usual poiler warning feature Wikipedia:Spoiler_warning seems a bit large to apply to a single sentence. Any ideas for a smaller one?