Fountain pen Quote by John Varley
““When I started writing I wanted the best tools. I skipped right over chisels on rocks, stylus on wet clay plates, quills and fountain pens, even mechanical pencils, and went straight to one of the first popular spin-offs of the aerospace program: the ballpoint pen. They were developed for comber navigators in the war because fountain pens would squirt all over your leather bomber jacket at altitude. (I have a cherished example of the next generation ballpoint, a pressurized Space Pen cleverly designed to work in weightlessness, given to me by Spider Robinson. At least, I cherish it when I can find it. It is also cleverly designed to seek out the lowest point of your desk, roll off, then find the lowest point on the floor, under a heavy piece of furniture. That's because it is cylindrical and lacks a pocket clip to keep it from rolling. In space, I presume it would float out of your pocket and find a forgotten corner of your spacecraft to hide in. NASA spent $3 million developing it. Good job, guys. I'm sure it's around here somewhere.)””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Talk at Worldcon, 1995
He describes choosing the ballpoint pen for its practicality despite many older writing tools, noting its aerospace origins and quirks.
In simple terms: He prefers modern, practical tools over older ones.
Key Takeaway
Embrace tools that serve your purpose efficiently.
Themes
technology
innovation
practicality
Mood
reflective
humorous
Type
anecdotal
reflective
When to use this quote
- writing
- design
- space exploration
- productivity
Key Concepts
ballpoint pen
space pen
design
history
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize function over tradition?
- How do tool choices affect creativity?
A Different Perspective
The pen’s design quirks can be inconvenient in everyday use.
