Erasable You

Ink that isn't

Imagine the possibilities: signed business contracts could be unsigned, handwritten wills could be rewritten, love letters could hurriedly be made more (or less) loving just before mailing. Boston's Paper Mate, a division of Gillette Co., one of the largest U.S. penmakers, will launch this spring a new $1.69 refillable pen whose ink is erasable. A $5 million ad campaign for the Eraser Mate will push it as a boon to students, to those who fill out many forms, and indeed just about anyone who needs what the company says "could be the end of writing mistakes."

The pen uses a heavy blue ink that has many of the same properties as rub ber cement (refills are available in black and red). About 100 times thicker than honey, it is contained in a cartridge in the pen's barrel, which is pressured with a charge of nitrogen gas; the gas forces the ink onto the pen's ballpoint when it is pressed against a surface. In effect, an antigravity pen, it can be used in any position. The writing can be rubbed out with an ordinary eraser up to several days later; thereafter the ink fully hardens and be comes permanent.

Paper Mate executives, who expect the Eraser Mate to capture a big share of the U.S.'s $1 billion annual sales of writing instruments, say that it is the biggest advance in pens since felt tips appeared in the 1950s. Says Paper Mate President William Holtsnider: "What we're doing is playing with the fundamental dynamics of writing." At the rival Bic company, a spokesman scoffs:

"This defeats the whole purpose of ink." Indeed, mindful of the question of permanent records and forgeries, Paper Mate consulted the American Bankers Association, which advised that a cautionary note be printed on every Eraser Mate package. The message warns buyers "not to sign or endorse checks" with the pen.

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