#4 The "Eraser" Box - Erasers

Erasers have a fascinating mechanism for removing marks.

What actually happens when we erase text? In reality, it is a process where graphite from a pencil, which is caught in the fibers of the paper, is transferred onto the surface of the eraser, which has a higher affinity for the graphite. While it may simply look like it is disappearing, we discuss the realization that we are actually "transferring" graphite particles from the paper to the eraser.

The surprising history of pencils and erasers is equally intriguing.

The history of writing instruments runs deep, from stories of how breadcrumbs were used to erase marks when pencils were first introduced, to the tale of the oldest pencil in Japan, said to have been used by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Following the discovery by Joseph Priestley in the 18th century that rubber could be used to erase, subsequent improvements by Charles Goodyear led to the convenient erasers we use today.

The act of erasing can also help us look back into the past.

We discuss how text that was thought to be erased can sometimes be restored using digital technology, referencing the case of the Archimedes Palimpsest. It is quite mysterious how the development of an erasing culture can sometimes leave clues that allow us to reflect on the past. Please tune in to the full episode to hear about the historical moments that were shaped by the stories introduced throughout the show.