Personifying the forever dancer, Pencil!

Either you get a neat space in a pouch or you are left free amidst many who have the same or different role as you. You come in various shapes and sizes and it is up to somebody’s grip and finger dexterity that they choose the triangular/ hexagonal or cylindrical you. Though the taps and clicks are gradually taking your place, you are and will always remain the first apparatus of knowledge. This is an ode to our mechanical pencils which is the strongest tool we forgot we had.

Celebrating your birthday

Every year on July 5, people all across the world celebrate Mechanical Pencil Day. There are many uses for mechanical pencils in the business and in the school. We commonly utilise pencils for early computations and writings to prevent errors in our final copy, even if you use pens for all of your written work. In a world where digital communication is prioritised, mechanical pencils make writing and design easier and add a personal touch. The annual Mechanical Pencil Day celebrates this amazing invention and calls on more people to re-learn the lost art of writing with pencils.

Birth history

In 1822, Sampson Mordan and John Isaac Hawkins in Britain created the first mechanical pencil. The user did not need to manually sharpen the lead because these pencils had devices to move the lead. After their creation, other businesses started making mechanical pencils in large quantities.

Currently, it comes in three different styles: screw-based, clutch-based, and ratchet-based. The lead widths and frame arrangements of mechanical pencils are available in a wide range. Your mechanical pencil’s body could be constructed of wood, metal, or plastic. Although they are generally used for writing, mechanical pencils can also be used to create artwork and designs.

Life lessons

It has a clip, sleeve, grip and eraser on its exterior while a spring, dispenser and lead in its interior. Mechanical pencil is made to constantly create something new or modify the existing. It finds its place in someone’s hand to make amazing forms. It directly connects with the brain and tries to decipher and draft the thoughts that are shaped during the cognition. There are a few life lessons which every part of the mechanical pencil delivers. It truly opposes the gestalt thinking while being more structuralist.

Clip: It clings the substance completely so that the pencil remains safe while it also comes in various forms and colours which would beautify the entire look of a pen. Let’s compare this with the existing norms and values which one ought to follow while being a part of the society, but modifying the age old practices to make it relevant in the present times.

Sleeves and Shaft: The best part about the sleeve or the lead sleeve is the way it covers the interior of the lead and strengthens its life span. In the real life, one needs to cover oneself from being vulnerable; for which a lot should be covertly covered from others. This would make you stronger externally and ensure your internal safety.

Grip, Ring and Cone: These are three things essential to the comfort of a person who is buying a particular pencil. It remains fixed and cannot be adjusted while there are many choices to opt for the best that suits one’s dexterity. This can be related with the subjectivities of one’s life, where what is best for one might not be suitable for the other hence, the options must be availed as per persons need and compatibility.

Spring: The basic characteristic of a spring is flexibility. In the mechanical pencil, it helps the dispenser to move up and down as per the need. While understanding the quality of making adjustments in living a peaceful life, we must borrow this quality of spring to accommodate ourselves when in need.

Dispenser: A push from the exterior through a spring and the lead comes out to perform its role. While many parts are secured in the interior, the real self must be out in the world when it’s time to perform. This quality of a dispenser exposes your true self to the society which fulfills your existence.

Lead: Graphite is utilized as a pencil lead because it is very glossy and leaves an impression on paper when used, something that other materials cannot achieve. This is the unique you which the world is going to notice. Put your best foot forward to leave an imprint around you just like the lead!

Eraser: An eraser can be used to gently rub away the small layer of graphite that pencils leave on paper. Of course without destroying the paper. This is exactly how one must wipe off the negativity and mistakes in life by making sure that life remains undisturbed.

While every part has a role to play, the major element which understands the existence of a pencil is paper. It is the medium through which an idea gets translated into a language. This paper if personified as life demonstrates many teachings. It enlightens us to be strong in every difficult situation and preserve the clear and legible work forever. It also promises us the recreation of memories which would require repetition in future.