All About Fisher Space Pens
All About Fisher Space Pens
When it comes to a business with a great claim to fame, it is hard to beat Fisher Space Pens.
That is because Fisher Space Pens invented the pen used by astronauts in space to this day.
Made in the USA, Fisher Space Pens have become synonymous with exploration, dependability, and history (Gene Rodenberry would be proud).
To cover it all and talk about what personalized Fisher pens are now available at Dayspring Pens, I will blast right off:
- The History of Fisher Space Pens
- What’s So Special About Them
- Personalized Fisher Space Pens Available at Dayspring Pens
History of Fisher Space Pens
The story goes that NASA looked into a pen for space travel, but it was just too expensive to research and develop.
Why not just use pencils?
Well, they did. But, there were issues with graphite dust affecting electronics in zero gravity, lead breaking, flammable wood, and smudging making record keeping a little less than permanent.
Enter: Paul C. Fisher and the creation of zero gravity writing.
Zero Gravity Writing
To understand the problem with writing in space, we have to understand how ballpoint pens work.
Gravity pulls the oil-based ink down the refill to the tip of the pen. Unfortunately, one of the many things space lacks…is gravity…meaning there was no way for the ink to actually move through the pen to write.
Now, Paul C. Fisher was an American businessman and inventor who decided quite on his own to tackle this problem.
He did it by creating the pressurized ink refill that would push a new kind of ink out of the pen while writing instead of needing ink to be drawn out of the pen by gravity.
Fisher submitted his pen to NASA. They did extensive testing. And the AG7 “anti-gravity” pen became the official Space Pen in 1966.
Fun Fact: In 1969, the Soviet Union purchased 100 space pens and began to use them on their Soyuz missions.
The Bullet Space Pen: Work of Art
Paul Fisher’s success did not stop with the AG7 Original Space Pen.
In 1948, the concept of the Bullet Space Pen was born and by the 1990s when people talked about a space pen, chances are they were thinking about the Bullet Space Pen, not the AG7 actually used by astronauts.
A collapsible pen filled with the same zero-gravity ink synonymous with Fisher, the Bullet pen captured American culture with its minimalist, industrial design and ability to write at any angle.
Learn More: The MOMA permanently exhibits the Bullet Space Pen as an example of industrial art.
It was so popular by 1991, Seinfeld created an entire episode titled “The Pen”.
What’s So Special About the Fisher Space Pen?
So it writes in space and has a good story…is it actually that good a pen?
Yes. It is. And it doesn’t just write in space. It also has the ability to write underwater, in extreme temperatures from -30 to +250 degrees Fahrenheit, and to write in greasy environments.
This is all because Paul Fisher invented thixotropic ink and that aforementioned pressurized ink refill.
Pressurized Ink Refill
What is thixotropic ink and what does that have to do with the pressurized ink refill?
Bear with me a moment.
A thixotropic liquid is a liquid that is so thick it is basically a solid.
But, if stress or force is applied to the “liquid” it begins to flow, becoming more liquidity.
So when thixotropic ink is put under pressure, it flows like liquid ink.
The pressurized ink refill serves two purposes. It keeps the ink in a more liquid state and does not require gravity to write since the pressure pushes the ink out instead of creating a vacuum.
The other boon to thixotropic ink is that outside conditions like temperature or water do not affect it since they are not creating stress on it.
It’s actually really, really neat, and why Fisher Space Pens have become so useful outside of astronauts in space, because people need to write in less than ideal environments at times.
EDC Pens
Hence, these handy Fisher ballpoint pens have now become some of the leading Everyday Carry (EDC) pens on the market.
When you need a pen that will write no matter what condition you are in, the Fisher pressurized refill will do it.
Fisher Space Pen realized the unique capabilities of their pens and started creating durable barrels that could take rough situations without breaking.
Personalized Fisher Space Pens at Dayspring Pens
So which Fisher Space Pens are available at Dayspring Pens with a free line of standard custom engraving?
Each pen comes with the patented pressurized refill of medium point black ink inside the pen and a free line of standard engraving.
The AG7 Original Space Pen
That’s right. The very pen that started it all. The AG7 Original Space Pen is a little piece of history ready to take on any task you need.
Covered in a lustrous chrome finish and complete with a ribbed grip, the AG7 is activated with a click action on the top of the pen and the point retracts with a button on the side.
What to Know:
- Engraving Color: Tone-on-tone light brass
- Point Size: Medium
- Ink Color: Black
- Length - 5.12 inches
- Thickness - 0.37 inches
- Weight - 0.9 ounces
The Bullet Space Pen
Petite, portable, and effective, the Bullet Space Pen has created its own legacy of excellence from helping Jerry Seinfeld write upside down to being presented to Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show.
Capped, the pen is ready to slide into any pocket or pouch. Post the cap to write with a full sized pen when you need it.
What to Know:
- Available in Chrome and Matte Black
- Engraving Color: Tone-on-tone light brass for Chrome and brass on Black
- Point Size: Medium
- Ink Color: Black
- Length - 5.35 inches posted; 3.77 inches capped
- Thickness - 0.38 inches
- Weight - 0.7 ounces
The Clutch Space Pen
Built to be the only EDC pen you will ever need, the Clutch Anodized Black Industrial Space Pen is durability and functionality at its finest.
Whether you have thick work gloves, are out in the snow, or just need to write on a jobsite, the Clutch was designed to be easy to hold and click without having to stop. Ready for an oil rig or a mechanics shop, the Clutch brings space to your writing tasks.
What to Know:
- Engraving Color: Silver
- Point Size: Medium
- Ink Color: Black
- Length - 5.45 inches
- Thickness - 0.52 inches
- Weight - 1.1 ounces
The Cap-O-Matic Space Pen
A layman’s pen, the Cap-O-Matic ballpoint pen was developed to offer the Fisher space pen technology at an entry level price.
This pen comes both in matte black and in antimicrobial raw brass.
The simple body and practical click action cap showcase what Fisher refills can really do. And yes, this pen can still write underwater, in extreme temperatures, upside down, and at any angle.
What to Know:
- Available in Black and Brass
- Engraving Color: Brass on Black; tone-on-tone on Brass
- Point Size: Medium
- Ink Color: Black
- Length - 5.27 inches
- Thickness - 0.38 inches
- Weight - 0.6 ounces
The Shuttle Space Pen
The Shuttle Pen slims down the AG7 both in weight and diameter to offer an easier, lightweight grip to the iconic design.
With gold appointments and a textured matte black finish, the Shuttle presents beautifully in the Fisher Space Pens gift box, complete with gold custom engraving.
What to Know:
- Engraving Color: Gold
- Point Size: Medium
- Ink Color: Black
- Length - 5.25 inches
- Thickness - 0.31 inches
- Weight - 0.9 ounces
Conclusion
It is difficult not to get excited to have such an iconic American brand now available at Dayspring Pens, especially when we can add something as personal and exceptional as custom engraving.
To find your perfect pen, check out all Dayspring Pens has to offer.
And of course! I’d love to hear what your favorite Fisher Space Pen is and the story that brought it to you. Leave a comment below.
For more articles on the brands sold at Dayspring Pens or some of our favorite pens, check out any of these articles:
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Sam Di Nardo is an author for Dayspring Pens, where she has honed her expertise in ballpoint, rollerball, gel and fountain pens since joining the team in 2018. From her initial role as an Engraver to becoming the Production Manager, Sam's journey has been marked by her passion for the history, manufacturing, and the unique value of gifted writing instruments. A graduate of Regent University with a degree in English Literature and a special interest in Old Norse literature, dive deeper into Sam's world and discover why she's your trusted guide in the realm of gift pens. |
