Banal Minutiae

I’ve just finished a book called “History of the Pencil”, by Henry Petroski. Here’s an Amazon linky here.

It’s certainly better than his previous book “Everyday Things”, which is BORING! Anyway, this is obsessive compulsive information for those of us who are curious about everything. Why are pencils yellow? Why are they made from cedar? If you have the type of personality that asks questions like these, this book would interest you.

I mention this, because I’m currently looking for a book on pens. I’ve always had a love for writing instruments, and after reading this fascinating work on pencils, I wodered if there was a similar work on pens. I write with a Parker 51 fountain pen clone that I love, but most fountain pens died overnight as a result of the ball point pen gaining wide spread use. I’d like to see a definitive history on this subject. After all, there’s some serious technology in a pen.

I’ve also given some thought to paper. Why is it that ink bleeds heavily on certain papers, but not others? What’s different? Why do certain papers feel so much smoother than others?

Anyway, just some thoughts.