ICONIC PEN MADE BY BLIND TURNS 50
N.C.» Clifford Alexander GREENSBORO, scoops a handful of black ballpoint pens, drops them into a small box and shakes it with a blackjack dealer’s nonchalance. He slides in the next handful to make an exact dozen, and sends the box down the assembly line. Alexander, who is blind, performs the quick act again, box after box.
Anyone who has served in the military, worked for the federal government or addressed a package at a post office is familiar with the handiwork. But they might not have realized all the SKILCRAFT U.S. government pens were made by the visually impaired. The pens turn 50 this month.
The pen’s history traces back to April 20, 1968, when it was introduced to government buyers, said the National Industries for the Blind. The nonprofit organization was tapped to supply pens after another manufacturer made 13 million defective ballpoints.
The pens have stringent requirements — 16 pages worth. The pens must be able to write a continuous line 1 mile long and keep the ink flowing despite extreme temperatures — from 40 degrees below zero to 160 degrees. — The Associated Press
For five decades, the task of making those pens has been entrusted to blind workers.
“It may take us longer to learn it, but once we learn those jobs we do those jobs very well,” said Alexander, who supervises about 30 Greensboro pen workers. “And we turn out a top quality garment or writing instrument.”