The paper was to be read by Mazur at a meeting of the Lvov Scientific Society but only hours before the meeting Steinhaus summoned Mazur to tell him that he had handed him four blank sheets of paper. Students could only afford cheap quality yellow paper and Mazur had diluted his ink with water to make it last longer. Steinhaus said to Mazur:
Ang papel ay dapat basahin sa pamamagitan ng Mazur sa isang pulong ng Lvov Siyentipiko Society ngunit lamang na oras bago ang pulong Steinhaus summoned Mazur upang sabihin sa kanya na niya kamay sa kanya apat na blangko ang mga sheet ng papel. Mag-aaral ay maaaring lamang ang kayang murang kalidad ng dilaw na papel at Mazur had diluted kanyang tinta sa tubig upang gawin itong huling na. Steinhaus sinabi sa Mazur: