![Autopoint Twinpoint red and blue mechanical pencil](https://www.penciltalk.org/images/penciltalk.org.twinpoint.1.jpg)
The red and blue pencil concept also exists in the mechanical pencil realm. The Autopoint Twinpoint is a mechanical pencil with lead at both ends!
Each end is colour coded red or blue, and dispenses a corresponding lead. Though the product is named the “Twinpoint”, this pencil type seems to be popularly known as a “double ender”.
![Autopoint Twinpoint red and blue mechanical pencil](https://www.penciltalk.org/images/penciltalk.org.twinpoint.2.jpg)
The ownership of Autopoint has changed over the years, but material at Guide to Autopoint and Dur-O-Lite Spiral Pencils indicates that this pencil type was sold by Autopoint as far back as the 1920s!
Autopoint today still sells a very similar lineup to that seen in 1960s catalogues, with no product modernization. They are one of these lines that doesn’t have to imitate “retro” – they are retro! Yet – in some ways their products appear very modern.
If you can find them at retail (I can’t), these pencils should be under $5 – a real bargain for an interesting and unique writing implement with so much history.
It comes in two versions – 0.9mm, and 1.18mm, both traditional lead sizes. Strangely, the blue leads don’t seem to be the same – the 1.18mm version is a lighter, fainter blue, while the 0.9mm version is more of a navy blue.
The red seems to be on the pink side, unlike woodcase red and blue pencils, where the reds are more orange hued.
![Autopoint Twinpoint red and blue mechanical pencil](https://www.penciltalk.org/images/penciltalk.org.twinpoint.5.jpg)
Each pencil comes with two silver-coloured cardboard containers with refill leads. These are also a delightful retro item.
![Autopoint Twinpoint red and blue mechanical pencil](https://www.penciltalk.org/images/penciltalk.org.twinpoint.3.jpg)
As well, if you buy one of these pencils, you probably won’t want to throw away the box, as it contains the refill instructions. Not quite the Yard-O-Led experience, but still complex enough. (Unscrew the plunger? Huh?)
![Autopoint Twinpoint red and blue mechanical pencil](https://www.penciltalk.org/images/penciltalk.org.twinpoint.4.jpg)
Further on red and blue pencils:
From penciltalk.org:
Red and Blue pencils
Red and Blue pencils II
Television! (The Conté Television 649 red and blue pencil)
Red and Blue pencils IV – Viarco
From stdk.de:
Rot-Blau-Stifte