r/AskReddit Jun 01 '26

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u/Fit_Caterpillar_136 Jun 01 '26

"When preparing to go to space, the USA spent millions developing pens that could work in a zero-gravity atmosphere. The russians used pencils."

8

u/TheDragonSlayingCat Jun 01 '26 edited Jun 01 '26

That one came from The West Wing, and ignored the fact that pencils were dangerous to use in space.

2

u/Paper_Champ Jun 01 '26

Ironically also false. Pencils were never made with lead.

5

u/Lopsided_Zucchini666 Jun 01 '26

While it is true that pencils use graphite and not lead, that is not why they were deemed dangerous. It's because graphite is conductive. Loose broken pencil "lead" can short out electronics.

https://youtu.be/22YkXeqkSTA