Markers don't stay on shirts!?

[Zach O]

So here's a funny story. If you were at the Lansing competition, they you'd know Dean Kamen was there. So everyone attacked him and got them to sign everything they own. I had him sign my shirt. Now, before he signed my shirt, two girls on our team were with me. Now, me being a guy and not had much experience with doing my own laundry, and both of them I assumed might know more then nothing about it, I asked them, "If Dean Kamen signs my shirt with this marker will it come off?"
"Nope, it should stay on."
"Okay, good!"
So, we have 3 days for shirts on our team. Dean signed my Friday shirt. So I got out my Friday shirt today, looked on the sleeve, and apparently it didn't stay! So Dean Kamen's signature was washed out from my shirt Oh well I guess. Maybe I'll see him next year sometime where he can sign something else I don't wash.

Moral: If Dean Kamen/Paul Gudonis/Woodie Flowers/anyone you feel is important signed any article of clothing you own, be careful about washing it

[JYang]

I have a volunteer shirt where Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers signed in ATL last year; I haven't worn the shirt since I was volunteering last April. I am afraid it will wash out ><

[hillale]

Dang technological advances in detergent technology! Curses!!!

[Zach O]

Originally Posted by hillale

Dang technological advances in detergent technology! Curses!!!

I blame FIRST! With them, engineering has just been to successful!

[typharn91]

yeah the same thing happened to me with sharpie some how i thought it was permanent had woodie sign my shirt while he was at an off season comp last year got to talk to him one on one kinda cool but it washed of

[tim_reiher]

I've had Dean sign my '08 competition shirt and it hasn't worn out through many washings (though it has faded a bit.)

Next time, try getting a laundry marker to bring for shirt signing. It would probably stay a lot better.

[Zach O]

Originally Posted by tim_reiher

I've had Dean sign my '08 competition shirt and it hasn't worn out through many washings (though it has faded a bit.)

Next time, try getting a laundry marker to bring for shirt signing. It would probably stay a lot better.

Thanks for the advice!

[IndySam]

Most inks need to be set to help prevent them from washing out.

Get some parchment paper (non wax kind) and take your iron and heat the shirt.

Also washing inside-out will help.

[typharn91]

or also i know most of our team gets ppl to sign the silk screened part and it stays and just fades a little just didnt think of it when i got woddie to sign mine

[Molten]

Hmm....maybe you could consider it a lucky shirt? Never wash the lucky shirt, the luck gets washed out.

[Robert Cawthon]

It seems to me that when I was doing tye-dyed shirts (a very long time ago) we soaked the shirts in vinegar and let them air dry to set the dyes into the fabric. I wonder if the same thing would work on a signature?

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Robert Cawthon

It seems to me that when I was doing tye-dyed shirts (a very long time ago) we soaked the shirts in vinegar and let them air dry to set the dyes into the fabric. I wonder if the same thing would work on a signature?

that's also a good thing to do with your black shirts.

[Zultraranger]

They are just two regular guys, I don't see the significance of having their signatures.

[Samuel H.]

Well, I'd say they were a better choice for inspiration than it could have been. Anyhow, it doesn't matter - the tips mentioned here don't depend on whose signature it is.

Actually, that is an interesting philosophical question. I'd have say, the main reason to collect signatures is as a memento, to remind you of the experience. Also, it is a way of showing your support for those you respect. Finally, it is a method for showing others your pride and happiness at meeting whomever. I personally don't collect signatures, but it seems like a reasonable thing to do.

Finally, why Kamen and friends? Because mainly, he founded this competition that we enjoy so much, and because they have worked on things that help many people, which we admire.

-Sam

PS.
Thank you for a question that I would not have thought through had you not asked.

[EricH]

You know, Zultraranger, Woodie Flowers could say the same thing about the 10,000+ students at competitions he goes to every year.

So why does he have a jacket (or more than one?) covered with student signatures?

Because he sees something that maybe we don't. Because we, the students and mentors of FIRST, are his heroes. (At least, that's the reasoning I've heard.) And yet, we're even more "regular" than an MIT professor of engineering.

Think about it.