HENRY PETROSKI: THE PENCIL — [N]o single... pencil... is everyone's favorite.... The Think Big! store in New York... chooses... the Dixon Ticonderoga... as its model for a six-foot pencil.... [O]thers... claim the Faber-Castell Velvet..., or the Berol Mirado... is the number one No. 2.
| A. | One of a breed of dairy cattle | HOLSTEIN |
| B. | Gradually change | EVOLVE |
| C. | Two-character play that won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for drama (2 wds.) | NIGHTMOTHER |
| D. | New York venue for the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra | ROSELAND |
| E. | Much-discussed topic of 1999 (2 wds.) | YKBUG |
| F. | In a position of deep humility or obeisance | PROSTRATE |
| G. | Character played by Robert Stack and Kevin Costner (2 wds.) | ELIOTNESS |
| H. | Area in and around Chesapeake Bay | TIDEWATER |
| I. | Event in the Hindu cycle of samsara | REBIRTH |
| J. | Replica room at the Truman Library (2 wds.) | OVALOFFICE |
| K. | General for whom the largest known living tree is named | SHERMAN |
| L. | Caitiff, scoundrel | KNAVE |
| M. | Couch potato's companion (2 wds.) | IDIOTBOX |
| N. | Subject of many daily radio reports | TRAFFIC |
| O. | Native intelligence (2 wds.) | HORSESENSE |
| P. | Pursuit of some NASA researchers | EXOBIOLOGY |
| Q. | Lacking meaning; rounded at the end | POINTLESS |
| R. | Title of paintings by Titian and Correggio (2 wds.) | ECCEHOMO |
| S. | Wise old hero at Troy | NESTOR |
| T. | Member of a Dixieland frontline | CLARINET |
| U. | 1992 film with Catherine Deneuve | INDOCHINE |
| V. | Stir-fried dish with noodles (2 wds.) | LOMEIN |