Fly Me To The Moon

In 1965 Paul C. Fisher, president of Fisher Space Pen Co., sent his pen to Houston Space Center and NASA began testing it. Astronauts had been using pencils for note taking, but the graphite used in pencils could break off and float around the cabin. This lead could become lodged in electrical switches and jeopardize their personal safety as well as the mission. The pen was put through 18 months of rigorous testing subsequently approving it for use on a trial mission in outer space. By 1968 the Fisher Space Pen was issued to astronauts for all manned space flights. It is still in use today on all American and Russian flights. Many of us were first introduced to this pen on a Seinfeld episode, "The Pen." It has also been on The Tonight Show, when Carl Reiner presented the pen on-air to Johnny Carson. It's been featured on a segment of the Travel Channel's popular series "John Ratzenberger's Made in America." The Bullet pen has been part of the permanent collection of New York's MoMA where it has been exhibited for years, having been cited as an outstanding example of "exquisite industrial design." The pen is perfect for corporate gifts because it can be laser engraved or silk-screened with a company logo or an individual's initials. It novelty and dependability insures that it is well received and appreciated by men and women alike.

The compact size of this chrome "bullet" style pen makes this pen very handy. Closed the pen is a mere 3.75 inches (95mm), and open it measures 5.25 inches (133mm.) However, it's the cartridge that's makes it different from every other ballpoint pen. The Fisher Space Pen will write in extreme temperatures (-30 degrees to +250 degrees Fahrenheit). It will also write underwater, and at any angle, even upside down. It will write on photographs, wet surfaces, and through grease. Ordinary ballpoint pens rely on gravity for ink flow. The Fisher Space Pen uses a cartridge pressurized at nearly 35 pounds per square inch. Ink is fed continuously to the tungsten carbide ball, allowing the user to write at any angle. The stainless steel precision socket prevents leaking yet delivers uniform ink flow. Evaporation, wasted ink and back leakage are eliminated. It's the perfect pen to throw into your lightweight luggage as you plan your trip. It can be used to mark a map for navigation, and it will write on coated stock golf scorecards. You can write in the rain and all other weather conditions, making it perfect for canoers, hikers, campers, fishermen and snowmobiles.

It's perfect to be kept along with your other travel accessories because of its reliability. Emergency medical services, earth and rescue personnel, ambulance paramedics, helicopter tactical retrieval units and E.R. trauma staff use it. Mountain climber's benefit from the rugged reliability and of the Space Pen as it will not be affected by any weather conditions encountered during a climb. It has been used during the Everest North Face Ski Expedition. The pen is not affected by dirt, grease, or cold weather. Law enforcement must be able to function under all operating conditions, and the FBI, U.S. Navy Seals, U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Thunderbirds pilots, and Canadian Snowbirds 431AD Squadron use the Space Pen. It will write on carbonless paper, and through fingerprints. It is listed as "Most Versatile Pen' in the Guinness World Records. The pen is visible on rubber, leather, and other dark surfaces making it a natural for contractors, carpenters, electricians, construction and inspection personnel. The Space Pen is even used by the Jacques Cousteau Society as well as many recreational and professional scuba divers.

This is the ideal pen to tuck away in your briefcase or attache case. It will comfortably fit in smaller leathergoods such as wallets or checkbook cases. While the pen became famous because they are used in outer space, their popularity is due to their dependability. Nurses and doctors value the Fisher Space Pen when recording information in critical application. The pen will write on X-ray film and other glossy surfaces. It is even capable of recording vital signs on latex gloves without tearing the glove. The pen is also available with a neck chain as a fashion statement for the ladies. With timeless design and unparalleled dependability the Fisher space pen can accompany you to the moon and beyond.

Maxine Greco has worked in the luggage and travel industry for over 36 years. She is currently employed at Village Luggage & Gifts