# Liquid Paper **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 25, 2004, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591 "2004-11-25T03:07:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/1 "2004-11-25T03:07:12Z")
There was a trivia question on tv about if Mike Nesmith’s mother invented Liquid paper. My son asked what it was, and I really don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/2 "2004-11-25T03:12:58Z")
Liquid paper is also called “correction fluid” or “white out”. It’s a small bottle of white “paint”, that one would use to paint out an error on typed or inked paper. It dried quickly, and you could then type or write over the error. [Liquid paper.](http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blliquid_paper.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/3 "2004-11-25T03:13:03Z")
[Yes](http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/nesmith.htm) ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/4 "2004-11-25T03:21:57Z")
Now, children, gather round while grandpa tells you how it was back in the old days. Back in the mists of prehistory, we didn’t have computers. You may not believe it, but back then we had these mechanical things called typewriters that were kind of like a printer, except they couldn’t print pictures, only text. You hit a key on the keyboard, and a piece of metal immediately smacked into the paper and transferred ink onto it in the shape of the letter. But there was no screen, so you couldn’t see and correct your mistakes before they were committed to paper. Oops. Later typewriters used a form of ink on film that could be automatically lifted off the paper, leaving no trace. But if you didn’t have one of these, you needed Liquid Paper or Wite-Out, which was essentially a kind of thick, opaque, white paint that you dabbed over the mistake, blew on to dry it out, and then typed over. (Usually before it was completely dry, making an even bigger mess.) Come back again tomorrow, kiddies, and I’ll tell you about what it was like before cell phones, and we couldn’t call anyone anytime we wanted. (Somehow we survived.) ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/5 "2004-11-25T03:33:29Z")
Yeah, but what I want to know is, who invented [dryline correction tape](http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/sku.asp?PageType=1&Sku=467258&bcFlag=True&bcSCatId=1&bcSCatName=Office+Supplies&bcCatId=11&bcCatName=Writing+Supplies&bcDeptId=1104&bcDeptName=Correction+Supplies&bcClassId=110402&bcClassName=Correction+Tape) ? This stuff is the bomb. It makes Liquid Paper as irrelevant as the typewriter. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/6 "2004-11-25T03:35:15Z")
> [@Rufus Xavier](#): > > Yeah, but what I want to know is, who invented [dryline correction tape](http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/sku.asp?PageType=1&Sku=467258&bcFlag=True&bcSCatId=1&bcSCatName=Office+Supplies&bcCatId=11&bcCatName=Writing+Supplies&bcDeptId=1104&bcDeptName=Correction+Supplies&bcClassId=110402&bcClassName=Correction+Tape) ? This stuff is the bomb. It makes Liquid Paper as irrelevant as the typewriter. I love those things! ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/7 "2004-11-25T04:26:44Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > I love those things! I like them when I can actually use them properly. Almost never fails that I screw it up somehow and end up with the spool all misaligned. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/8 "2004-11-25T05:31:57Z")
There’s not enough magic white eraser tape on those things. I run out too quickly, then it’s off to the supply closet for another one. Then I feel guilty for all the packaging involved in the dispenser. Then I feel stupid for needing to correct my mistakes in the first place. You can’t (or rather, I can’t) find Liquid Paper Thinner around here any more. That stuff was gold. Liquid Paper is one of the BEST inventions, ever, but it’s prone to getting thick fast. ---
**Author:** ![Roches](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bc8723/32.png) [@Roches](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roches)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/9 "2004-11-25T06:05:09Z")
According to Papermate’s [website](http://www.papermate.com/sanford/consumer/papermate/jhtml/faq/faqlp.jhtml), Liquid Paper thinner was discontinued in 1984 because it was harmful to the ozone layer. The thinner contained methyl chloroform, an ozone-depleting substance which is also quite toxic. Since it’s a solvent, it may also have had potential for abuse. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/10 "2004-11-25T06:26:53Z")
> [@Roches](#): > > According to Papermate’s [website](http://www.papermate.com/sanford/consumer/papermate/jhtml/faq/faqlp.jhtml), Liquid Paper thinner was discontinued in 1984 because it was harmful to the ozone layer. The thinner contained methyl chloroform, an ozone-depleting substance which is also quite toxic. Since it’s a solvent, it may also have had potential for abuse. I understand _The Monkees_ was cancelled for much the same reason. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/11 "2004-11-25T10:47:33Z")
> [@vanilla](#): > > There was a trivia question on tv about if Mike Nesmith’s mother invented Liquid paper. In case anyone was wondering, this is [true](http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/nesmith.htm). ---
**Author:** ![MartinL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@MartinL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MartinL)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/12 "2004-11-25T12:40:35Z")
> [@Roches](#): > > According to Papermate’s [website](http://www.papermate.com/sanford/consumer/papermate/jhtml/faq/faqlp.jhtml), Liquid Paper thinner was discontinued in 1984 because it was harmful to the ozone layer. The thinner contained methyl chloroform, an ozone-depleting substance which is also quite toxic. Since it’s a solvent, it may also have had potential for abuse. I don’t really understand that argument. Not that I doubt what you’re saying (I also miss that thinner.), but do you know more about it? Liquid Paper getting thick surely means that the solvent that intially was in there partly evaporated. In order to make it thinner again, I add more of that solvent. What’s the difference between adding new solvent to the thickened Liquid Paper and getting a completely new bottle of Liquid Paper with the same amount of solvent in it? If the solvent is dangerous, certainly Liquid Paper itself is also dangerous. Why ban the one and not the other? If the thinner is a different solvent than the one originally in there, why not use the same solvent as a thinner? ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/13 "2004-11-25T12:48:31Z")
In Britain, at least, liquid paper is usually referred to as [Tipp-Ex](http://www.microwarehouse.co.uk/product.aspx?SKU=E419385), even if it is not that actual brand. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/14 "2004-11-25T13:17:13Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > I understand _The Monkees_ was cancelled for much the same reason. Ain’t _that_ the '60s in a nutshell! ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/15 "2004-11-25T14:47:31Z")
Huh? They still sell Liquid Paper in the office section in every store in these parts. Weirdly enough, you can’t find typewriter ribbons in those same sections in those same stores any more. Made me wonder exactly what people are using Liquid Paper FOR? I mean, I don’t use a typewriter any more… I use my computer, I edit the stuff onscreen, and when it’s proofed and ready, I print it out. Judging from the scarcity of typewriter ribbons for sale, I figure a lot of people are doing the same thing. What are people using Liquid Paper FOR? ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/16 "2004-11-25T14:58:05Z")
> [@Master Wang-Ka](#): > > What are people using Liquid Paper FOR? Well, I used to use it at school and university for hand-written work - much neater than crossing out mistakes. Whether (a) kids still write anything by hand and (b) Tipp-Ex is permitted in schools I couldn’t tell you. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/17 "2004-11-25T15:33:38Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > Well, I used to use it at school and university for hand-written work - much neater than crossing out mistakes. > > Whether (a) kids still write anything by hand and (b) Tipp-Ex is permitted in schools I couldn’t tell you. I suppose so. My students often bug me for Liquid Paper. Since I use a word processor in the classroom, I don’t have any. Never occurred to me to use the stuff on ordinary handwriting… ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/18 "2004-11-25T15:36:58Z")
> [@Savannah](#): > > There’s not enough magic white eraser tape on those things. I run out too quickly, then it’s off to the supply closet for another one. Then I feel guilty for all the packaging involved in the dispenser. Then I feel stupid for needing to correct my mistakes in the first place. Dryline makes one that’s refillable. They even make a glue cartridge. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/19 "2004-11-25T15:49:07Z")
> [@Master Wang-Ka](#): > > What are people using Liquid Paper FOR? Illustrators use it for last-minute corrections on camera-ready graphics. It dries quicker and cleaner than white paint. The active ingredient is toluene. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591/20 "2004-11-25T15:53:33Z")
I almost forgot the obligatory dumb blonde joke on this topic: How can you tell which computer in an office belongs to the blonde? Spots of Wite-Out on the screen. Ow, ow! Cut it out. I was just kidding! Some of my best friends are blondes! Really! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591.md?page=2)