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With today’s computers, many young people have no idea what “Liquid Paper” was. The liquid could assist anyone using a typewriter. If you made a mistake typing a letter or report, you could simply stop, then paint out the mistake. After the liquid dried, you could type over the mistake and continue your work.
Liquid Paper was invented by Bette Nesmith Graham. Bette was a high school dropout who attended a secretaries’ school and became a professional typist. Frustrated by her new electric typewriter and having to re-type letters, she invented the white paper paint. Other secretaries saw how easy the stuff worked and they clamored for the product which Bette manufactured out of her home. Her son, Michael Nesmith, who would later become a member of the Monkees singing band, was her only helper. The company grew into a multi-million dollar operation. Bette would later sell it to the Gillette Corporation for over $47.5 million.
Correction fluid is still being produced today. It is primarily used by artists and craftsmen in various projects and by the occasional person who still uses a typewriter. It has been so popular because it relieves use of the need to be perfect.
As humans, we all need a way to cover our mistakes—especially our sins. That’s where the blood of Jesus comes in. Christians are forgiven by the power and cleansing power of our Lord’s sacrificial blood (Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:15-22).
Larry Fitzgerald
Woodlawn church of Christ
Abilene, TX