This document presents concerns from teachers and administrators over several centuries about students' dependence on writing tools as technology advanced. In 1703, slates were seen as too expensive and fragile compared to preparing bark for calculations. By 1815, chalk dust from slates and over-reliance on paper were issues. Pens and ink in 1907 and store-bought ink in 1929 replaced pencils, raising self-sufficiency concerns. In the 1940s and 1950s, concerns shifted to fountain pens and ballpoint pens being too luxurious. By 1985, handheld calculators were seen as distracting students from learning fundamentals. Overall, the document shows that with each new writing and calculation technology, educators worried students would lose