Pencil, Mechanical, Garland 35-P, Collins, Apollo 11

For taking notes and making alterations to flight plans during the Apollo 11 mission in July 1969, astronauts were issued sturdy metal mechanical pencils for their flights. NASA purchased a number of these from Lew Manufacturing of Rhode Island for the Apollo and Skylab programs. It is made of polished chrome with a twist-motion to advance the lead, and a piece of velcro was added to allow attachment to the inside of the spacecraft or other objects.NASA transferred this pencil to the Museum in 1984.