Paul C. Fisher
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paul C. Fisher (10 October 1913 - 20 October 2006) was the inventor of the Fisher Space Pen. He held the patent for this invention, which is the most lucrative in the history of pens.[citation needed] The Fisher Space Pen is manufactured in Boulder City, Nevada.
Contents |
[edit] The Fisher Space Pen
The Fisher Space Pen was a revolutionary new ballpoint pen which worked with thixotropic ink and a pressurized ink cartridge. It can write on almost any substance ranging from butter to steel. It also can survive a wide array of temperatures, ranging from -50 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
[edit] Uses In Space
Fisher submitted his invention to NASA. After vigorous testing, NASA approved Fisher's Space Pen. They purchased four hundred units at a reported price of $6.00. NASA purchased three different models: the 204, 207 and 208. The 204 had blue ink and a retraction button on the end. It was used on Skylab and the Apollo missions. It was later replaced by the 207. The 207 model was similar to the 204, except the retraction button had been moved to the side. The 208 model was the same as the 207, except it wrote in black ink. NASA modified these pens for use in outer space. Velcro patches were added along with a standard metal clip to facilitate the storage and attachment of the pen.
In July 1969, the Apollo 11 space mission used the Fisher Space Pen to fix an arming switch that was crucial to bringing the astronauts safely back to earth. The astronauts accidentally broke the arming switch while loading equipment into their module. The pen was used to flip the switch, similar to the way someone would press the reset button on the back of a calculator. The astronauts were able to make it safely back to Earth. Later, NASA announced, "If it hadn't been for the Fisher Space Pen the astronauts might still be up there on the Moon".
[edit] The Politician
Paul C. Fisher also ran for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1960 and 1968. In 1960, he was the only candidate besides John F. Kennedy on the New Hampshire primary ballot, although Hubert Humphrey and other candidates were also in the race and on the ballot in other states. The nomination was won by Kennedy.
Paul Fisher proposed the replacement of all existing sales and income taxes with a single graduated asset tax on those with assets of at least $100,000. He wrote a book published in 1988, The Plan: To Restore the Constitution and Help Us All Get Out Of Debt (ISBN 0961984309), to promote this idea.
[edit] References
- Having perfected the ball-point, Paul Fisher wrote a plan to save the world, by Anthony DeBartolo, Chicago Tribune, 1991. Article retrieved 6/27/2007.
[edit] External links
|
||||||||||||||||||||
This article about an engineer, inventor or industrial designer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
