THE MOST HELPFUL invention that has allowed me to do my work better is the Moleskine journal. It's something I thought about when considering a question from Science Week Ireland. I carry a Moleskine more often than I carry my mobile phone, mainly because it works without batteries and often gets me free cups of coffee at Irish cafes. I record ideas in it, draw weird pictures in it, and tear out its perforated pages to share giveaway thoughts with others. I believe "words, like eyes, are windows into the soul." My favourite Moleskines are the large 100 page sketchbooks and the watercolour books. I would not fly without my Moleskine.
When using Moleskines in conferences, some people peer onto my pages and discover haunting dimensions of presentations. I tend to draw objects when listening to speakers because the objects reveal the inner emotion of a presentation. I start with a Faber-Castell pencil and then I ink using a Sakura pen. When traveling, I love to add local images into my Moleskines, so I snip things from local papers, brochures or restaurant menus. I have to pack away Judikins cts11 scissors and acid-free glue sticks for this detail work. I've attended large and lavish launch events that included Moleskine journals in the swag bags for participants. I appreciate that thoughtfulness and I always use the little Moleskines for writing thoughts down during the sessions.
Previously -- "Resources spotlighted"
Damien Mulley is tracking these questions. Thanks, Damien.
Johnny Keyes has the best answer to the question. "The invention which has made my work possible is binary mathematics. It was invented by the Indian Pingala around 800 BC."
Bonus Link: Chewing Paper, confessions of a paper addict, and Moleskinerie.
