Wednesday 3 September 2008

The Fisher Space Bullet pen is an Example of Great Modern Design

Well designed pens can look beautiful and intriguing. Some pens are wonderfully ornate encrusted with precious jewels and metals, whilst other pen designs focus on modernity. Lamy design excellent Bauhaus influenced pens, but my favourite example of modern design is the Bullet pen by the Fisher Space Pen Company. The bullet pen is considered an example of 'exquisite industrial design' and is on permanent display at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Its status as a design icon has been enhanced by many endorsements, including an appearance on the ‘Pen’ episode of Seinfeld.

The Fisher Space Bullet Pen looks exactly like a bullet; sleek and aerodynamic. It could be mistaken for a modern sculpture, perhaps by the famous American sculptor Jeff Koons. He is famous for using highly reflective surfaces, and when the Bullet pen comes in shiny chrome it looks fantastic. Its unique design means that it always gets lots of attention from onlookers, and is sure to impress your friends. The Bullet Pen was designed to fit in a pocket, and also is quite slim so that it can slip unnoticed into a pocket. Consequently, the Fisher Space Bullet Pen is one of the most practical for when you are travelling or away from your desk.

The Bullet pen looks great, but also has an interesting history. It was designed in the 1960s during the Space race, with the intention that astronauts could write in zero gravity. The pen is fitted with a pressurized ink cartridge which allows the user to write upside down, in water and in extreme temperatures. The pen is available in several finishes, but my favourites are shiny chrome, blueberry and rainbow (very groovy man!)