Shade Tree Wisdom 6/11/15

Shade tree  wisdom 6/11/15

            A few days ago I mentioned where the word ‘eureka’ originated. Now here is a perfect example of just such a ‘eureka’ moment. It involves the ball point pen          

            It begins with Lazzlo Biro of Budapest. He worked for a newspaper, and one day he happened to watch the   presses at work, noticing how machine cylinders applied ink, and wondered if he could use such a principle with ink, because heat made his fountain pen leak.

            The problem was still on his mind as he went to a coffee shop next door for his morning coffee. He sat there, drinking his coffee, and idly watched children playing with marbles. He noticed how one marble rolled through a puddle and left a trail of water in its wake.

            Here came the ‘eureka’ moment, why not use a ball for a pen to write with. He used a ball etched for ink and the pen was born. It was an instant success, and Gimbels in NY sold $100,000 worth the first day.

            A moment with history for learning something new every dy.

GPS 6/11/15