# Why Michael Abandoned Ink For Mechanical Pencils

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-rest-is-science-7587315/why-michael-abandoned-ink
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-rest-is-science-7587315/why-michael-abandoned-ink.md
Podcast: [The Rest Is Science](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-rest-is-science-7587315)
Published: 2026-05-27T23:04:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/GLT6557068479.mp3
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/GLT6557068479.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-rest-is-science-7587315/episodes/why-michael-abandoned-ink
Duration seconds: 2837

## Resource

What can be revealed about a person by their choice of…lead? In this gloriously nerdy episode of Field Notes, Michael Stevens arrives armed with an entire collection of mechanical pencils, sparking a series of passionate debates about graphite, the merits of ink, and whether the perfect pencil will ever really exist. Plus: what happens to fizzy drink bubbles in zero gravity? Why did early scientists believe sperm contained tiny pre-formed humans? Are gravitational waves the most beautiful thing in the cosmos? And are modern scientific discoveries becoming too complicated for any one person to fully understand? ------------------- For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/our-research/rest-is-science Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ. ------------------- Find The Rest Is Science all over the internet by ⁠⁠clicking here.⁠⁠ ------------------- Video Producer: Adam Thornton + Oli Oakley + Jack Meek Animator: Sam Benson Video & Social: Bex Tyrrell Assistant Producer: Lucy Lipscombe Producer: Simona Rata Senior Producer: Lauren Armstrong-Carter Head Of Digital: Samuel Oakley Exec Producer: Neil Fearn ------------------- Advertise with us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠partnerships@goalhanger.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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## Transcript

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