Why Michael Abandoned Ink

Why Michael Abandoned Ink

From The Rest Is Science by Goalhanger

May 27, 2026 · 47 min · Season 1 · Episode 55

About this episode

Michael Stevens discusses the significance of mechanical pencils and various scientific concepts in this episode.

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…

People in this episode

Guest: Michael Stevens

Topics covered

  • mechanical pencils
  • graphite
  • zero gravity
  • gravitational waves
  • scientific discoveries

Keywords

  • mechanical pencils
  • graphite
  • zero gravity
  • gravitational waves
  • scientific discoveries
  • sperm theory
  • science debates

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cancer Research UK

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