In a message dated 11/8/2002 4:53:23 PM US Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< >Leo: "We spent millions of dollars developing a pen that could write in >space. Do you know what the Russians did?" >Josh: "Used a pencil?" >Leo: "Used a pencil." >~The West Wing~ However, there was at least one good reason that NASA chose not to use pencils: the wood and graphite shavings generated by sharpening a pencil would float in the air in microgravity, (1) being breathed in by the astronauts and (2) perhaps getting into the electronic equipment and causing short circuits (graphite being a conductor) or sparks, which would have been fatal in the pure oxygen atmosphere used prior to the Apollo 1 fire. >> The research contract should have gone to Hallmark. Crayons are edible and non-conductive. William Taylor ---------------------- Ne auderis delere orbem rigidum meum! : Don't you dare erase my hard disk! _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
