Everyone is familiar with the two-tone eraser, with its pink side and its blue side. For years, a popular belief circulated: the blue side was used to erase the pen. Who hasn’t labored over their notebook, hoping to erase an ink mistake, only to end up with a sheet full of holes?
But then, what is this blue part really for ?
The Myth of the Pen: Why Did This Belief Take Hold?
For generations, the idea that the blue part erases the pen has been passed down, probably because of its harder, more abrasive texture . Many have tried to test this theory… with more holes in their notebooks than success !
In reality, this side of the eraser is not designed for pen inks , which penetrate the paper instead of remaining on the surface like pencil. Rubbing harder will only damage the paper without actually erasing the ink .
