by Benjamin Minch, Staff Writer
Think of a world without erasers; people messing up left and right, without ever learning and correcting their mistakes. The eraser is a vital part in the learning process, but it is quickly becoming obsolete and ignored by schools today such as Fountain Valley High School.
The eraser hasn’t always been around; however, it was only invented in 1770 by a man named Edward Nairne. Before the invention of the eraser, people would use large chunks of wax, stone, or even bread in places like Japan. Nairne invented the first rubber eraser when he discovered that rubber could erase pencil marks. The name rubber actually came from the fact that Nairne was “rubbing” it against the paper. But the first eraser wasn’t perfect and crumbled when it was used and it smelled terrible.
In 1839, Charles Goodyear invented a method of curing rubber to make it more durable, allowing it to become a household item. Later, erasers were placed on the ends of pencils for practical reasons, and today there are many different styles and uses for erasers. The most recent invention dealing with erasers is a motorized eraser that spins for greater efficiency and speed.
“Erasers are not just rubber,” said Jonathan Hom (‘18). “They are a tool”.
Starting in preschool, erasers are essential to the learning of little children because they know that if they mess up, they can just try again and again until they get it right. They play a vital role in the brain processes that help children learn and develop.
“Unfortunately,” said Hom, an avid eraser user himself, “high school teachers tell us to use pens and any mistakes we make are permanent. Perhaps this is a reflection of growing up, and how life doesn’t give you second chances.”
At Fountain Valley High school, the eraser is an object limited to use in math, art and lower level classes. Most Advance Placement (AP) tests make students write in pen, so that is what is being used for classrooms as well. AP classes are already enough stress on their own so by removing erasers they only become worse. Students aren’t learning to correct their mistakes: a life skill that used to be taught in schools.
Hopefully Fountain Valley High School never does abandon the eraser because of all the precious relief it gives our brain. A world without erasers is a world of stress, where every mistake you make; stays permanent forever.
“Erasers give us the the second chances that life doesn’t give, as we are allowed to escape reality and remove the mistake and retry in its place. It is a glorious object that is becoming obsolete in this world, as we are quickly shifting to the pen,” said Hom.
