Foreign translations right at hand
What: Pens with foreign translations and state facts.
Aimed at: Travelers who want information at their pen tips.
How much: $4.95 each, available through the company at 503-740-6005, www.posterpens.com.
But do they work? Can the pen be mightier than the foreign-language dictionary or the atlas? These writing instruments are like the smarty-pants sisters of Bic; inside each one is a short cheat sheet with basic translations for four European languages (one language per pen) or facts for eight separate states (one state per pen).
The sheet pulls out like a window shade, revealing rudimentary foreign words and phrases (the state models are more for kiddie distraction or Trivial Pursuit).
As for the cool factor: We looked positively 007 searching for “Where’s the bathroom?” in Italian with our stealth pen.
– Andrea Sachs, The Washington Post
