US Patent 6836987 Magnetic list and method for making lists

An apparatus for creating a list includes a planar base member and a plurality of magnetic items that are detachable apart from the base member. The desired magnetic items form the items to be included on the list and they are selected from amongst the plurality of magnetic items and are placed proximate the base member. The base member and the desired magnetic items are used as a portable list or, alternatively, a piece of paper is placed over the magnetic items and a force is applied to the surface of the paper, for example rubbing it with the side of a pencil, which affects the paper to transfer a legible representation of the magnetic items to the paper. The paper is then used as the portable list.