by Jerry Riley

The wooden pencil really hasn’t changed much since first used in the 15th century. Oh, it has become more ornate or decorative but they it is a basic writing tool.

The pencil was ambidextrous untill the 1890’s, when companies started imprinting company names or advertisements, and then they became right handed. It’s true. As you are writing with the pencil in your right hand, you can read the message. Now, try it in your left – I’ll wait. Now, what a revoltin’ development this is!

We all know that the space race accelerated the development of the computer, but did you know the pencil was the original basic computer? One end was for printing, the other was used to delete.

During the space race, the United States spent thousands of dollars to develop a pen that would write in the zero gravity environment of space. The Russians were said to have just used a pencil.

Pencils are good for other, non-writing uses. For example, to repel moths. Pencil shavings are a great moth deterrent. Keep your sweaters hole-free by placing a small cloth bag filled with pencil shavings in your closet. They’re good for mending a stubborn zipper. Is there anything more frustrating than a stuck zipper?! Don’t worry, though, it won’t be a problem for long! Use your trusty pencil to solve it — just rub the eraser along the teeth of the zipper and it should lubricate it enough to work again.

I’m sure you have found more. Remember though, people misspell words – not pencils!

Jerry Riley comments for the News Bulletin. He is a retired telecommunications supervisor.

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