In fact, this isn't really a camera -- it's a pencil sharpener. The design is delightfully camera-like. You pull the top section out and slot the pencil in. To adjust sharpness (pun in original ...

The mysteries of the universe rarely reveal themselves with such spontaneous clarity. I’m also pretty sure my toaster works the same way, just with tiny flamethrowers. [Tumblr via BuzzFeed ...

Though this was the first mechanical pencil sharpener, it wasn’t much faster, nor less work, than just using a knife. About ten years later, in 1837, the British picked up on this sharpening fad.

“I guarantee an authentic interaction with your pencil. What mechanical pencil sharpener can say that? The X-ACTO XLR 1818? The Royal 16959T? Don’t make me laugh.” “I’m going to have ...

The various solutions to that problem have issues of their own: Mechanical pencils feel more like graphite pens than pencils; electric sharpeners offer a less-intimate sharpening experience ...

ELECTRIC PENCIL SHARPENER PLUG IN: This electric pencil sharpener comes with a 12V AC Adapter, which is easy to use. The voltage of the adapter ranges from 100V to 240V, ...

This straightforward design would influence most of the mechanical sharpeners made during the next half century. APSCO, a leader of the mechanical pencil industry, was never able to compete in the ...

since it gives students an excuse to get up every few minutes and use the pencil sharpener. But am I being environmentally irresponsible by asking parents to buy plastic mechanical pencils?