Where should we start? 
We always encounter different types of problems or, for the sake of being positive, challenges, and initially struggle with how to overcome them. Addressing those challenges is frequently a long-winded process, and often an illogical one. This is for one main reason; we tend to focus on addressing the results rather than the causes. Our usual excuse is: “We had to do it because the problem caused us many issues that we finally resolved.”
At the onset of the space age, NASA faced a significant challenge — the ink pens used on Earth didn’t work in space due to a lack of gravity and pressure differences. They commissioned Andersen Consulting (now known as Accenture) to find a solution to this complex problem.
The company embarked on this important project, which cost about $12 million, and the result was the invention of a special pen that could function in extreme conditions: zero gravity, underwater, in freezing temperatures, and even at 300 degrees Celsius. It could write on any surface. The success in creating this pen was widely publicized in the media to highlight its remarkable capabilities.
In contrast, the Russians addressed the same challenge by replacing pens with pencils, which incurred no additional expenses and required no special studies on how to adapt pens in space.
This story went viral at one point, and I am not debating whether it is true or not, but the lesson learned from it is inspiring. We tend to complicate things and take the long path in addressing challenges for one main reason; we start by thinking about how to address the results or outcomes instead of addressing the root cause. As illustrated by the story, the simpler solution often requires little time or money.
Some might argue that NASA’s invention was innovative and capitalized on previous conditions to create this remarkable pen, which many sought to acquire. But let’s be logical — who needs a pen that works in such extreme conditions that we will never experience? Who among us can withstand extreme heat or cold, or deadly pressure? Or who would need to write underwater? Perhaps the only useful feature for some might be writing on different surfaces, but even this could have been achieved in easier and less expensive ways.
Others might say that these pens were invented for use in space missions and that they prefer to use ink pens that they are familiar with, or items that don’t need sharpening. But how many space missions are conducted annually? What do astronauts need to write in space, and why not use modern pencils that don’t require sharpening? Personally, if I were involved, I would have recommended using a voice recorder so that astronauts could record their thoughts to transcribe them better when they return from their space journey, saving millions for more important projects.
On the other hand, failure may lead to success sometimes; it only needs someone to look at it from a different perspectives. A classic example can be seen in the invention of the Post-it Note by 3M. It started when a scientist at 3M, Spencer Silver, was attempting to make a strong adhesive and instead got a weak glue. It was a complete failure to him and to everyone around him except Art Fry, another scientist, who thought of a different use for it. He used this glue to make little sticky notes that wouldn’t fall out of his book. That’s how Post-it Notes were created. This shows how sometimes a simple idea — or a mistake — can turn into something really useful and popular.
Inventions are not always complicated. Indeed, there are many ideas that were fairly simple and yet are considered to be great inventions. The best example that I can think of is the paperclip. It was made by Johan Vaaler in 1899. All he did was bend a piece of wire in a special way so it could hold papers together. This little thing, the paperclip, is now something we use all the time at school or work to keep our papers in order. It is a great example of how a really simple idea can make a big difference in our everyday lives.
Whenever we face challenges, it is good to remember that the simplest ideas often work best, as shown by NASA’s pen and the Russian pencil, and the creation of the “Post-it Note” and “paperclip.” These stories teach us the power of thinking differently and seeking simple solutions. So, the next time we encounter a tricky situation, let’s aim for the easiest way to solve it. Getting to the heart of the problem and keeping our solutions straightforward can lead to smart and practical answers.
• Firas Abussaud is a petroleum engineering systems specialist with more than 21 years of experience in the industry. He holds a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering and a master of science in construction engineering and management from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. Beyond his technical expertise, he is interested in photography, graphic design and artificial intelligence.
