Fountain pens are too dangerous for children under the age of 14, the British Standards Institution says.
After decades when young pupils were encouraged to master penmanship, the benefits of developing good handwriting are now seen to be outweighed by the risk of swallowing the cap.
Good Lord.
1 comment:
And, without legal access to pocket pen-knives, the idea of reverting to hand-hewn quill pens is right out.
Leaving only the HB/No. 2 lead pencil. Until someone remembers that, when sharpened (in an approved-design mechanical pencil sharpener), thestandard lead pencil is itself a reasonable close-in weapon.
Shame about the whole thing, really. I remember when pen caps were a status symbol in parts of Africa. Didn't need the whole pen; just the cap fastened in a chest pocket. Told the world that one was a man of letters. Whether or not.
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