The first mechanical pencil I bought for myself was a SCRIPTO Classic at PayLess Drugs. (I think it was the somewhat transparent red color.) I have no idea what created my likeness of school supplies that always drew me to the aisle with pencils, pens, etc. even when I didn’t “need” anything. Of course I would always want to be prepared and have backups. I also liked for them to look good. (I would even take a Q-tip to clean out the inside barrel of my Quicker Clicker.) I still occasionally check out the school supply aisle of stores from time to time, but nothing like I did in the past and nothing that would make me excited. (It would still be a dream come true to come across an old stationary store with old stock, but I doubt that will ever happen. I would still like to visit one of the stationary stores overseas someday.)
I guess it was just something about those transparent colors. After having and using the transparent blue Quicker Clicker pencil for several years and knowing the existence of only the transparent pink (red) and smoke colors, of course I was completely ecstatic when I came across the transparent yellow and green pencils. Just something about the light coming through the barrel.
I was (and still am) drawn to colors. As a kid I also picked up some of the Micronaught toys with the transparent action figures. I have no idea what brought it to my mind several times recently, but looking at my transparent pencils brought back memories of the Micronauts. A few weeks ago I took the kids to a shop to check out Pokemon stuff, and saw a Micronaught figure in the case. (The owner of the store was surprised I knew what it was!) So, I decided to take a look online just for memory’s sake, and…
I used to take the cap off and just put the pencils in my backpack. (What was I thinking!?)
The current PD345 still has a blue cap that you could relocate to your original QC pencil. It pretty much looks the same, but has some slits in the top. I have several translucent white caps that have some sort of discoloration on just a small part of them. (Is this perhaps why Pentel started putting slits in the eraser caps?) I just dyed one of them to see what would happen. I think it looks better now.
I think the slits were to comply with modern safety standards, in case of a child ingesting a cap. Much like how the buttons on most/all MPs nowadays are perforated on top.
Enjoyed the history…started on Scripto transparent too, then to (T) Quicker Clickers. Blue is my favorite. Started a post in general discussion on folks first MP’S…hoping for more stories and pics! BTW…happily received today an unopened pack of the original green erasers: think I’m set for a bit .
If the QC has the larger hole, then a Q-tip can be squeezed into the barrel. I think I used rubbing alcohol to absorb the graphite residue. Then I would insert the other (dry) end to remove any excess moisture.
P.S. I acquired my first QC in Eureka, where I grew up. Family still lives there.
Thanks for the welcome @SlideRules ! I’ve been really enjoying all the high quality information, photos and humor shared on this forum. Oasis in the desert for a thirsty pencil nerd.
And thanks for the details. Sadly mine are the small hole …but may try full disassembly at some point.
Hey that’s great about growing up in Eureka…I’ve been up here since mid-80’s when I transferred to HSU (now sadly a Cal-Poly Humboldt…ha.).
P.S. I think my favorite clicker is that transparent blue 345!
Wow, you’ve been there a while! HSU is such an awesome campus! I remember going there during elementary school to take some math assessments and having lunch in the cafeteria. Played several tennis tournaments there as well. I stopped in a couple times during one college summer when I was working in Crannell. Ran the trails in the woods near the tennis courts. I think that was the last time I visited the campus. I don’t know what to think about the name change. Seemed to take them a while to change signs on both directions of the 101 to reflect that name change!
Those are great memories!
The community park redwoods trails behind campus was a godsend for me…spent a lot of time there. Did have a break from the area for work in L.A. a couple of years and grad school in Oregon, but always came back…always home to me.
For me, the HSU change had more to do with how they changed….killing KHSU radio, closing whole departments like industrial arts etc…. Tore down our ceramics building recently (another home). But life is change! Still love it here…
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…but may try full disassembly at some point.