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Brief history of the fountain pen

Brief history of the fountain pen
 

Origins and Early Prototypes (10th - 18th Century)

  • 953 AD: The first recorded mention of a pen with an ink reservoir dates back to Caliph Ma'ād al-Mu'izz, who requested a pen that would not stain his hands.
  • 17th Century: Early European attempts to create pens with reservoirs, though they struggled with ink flow issues.

The Birth of the Modern Fountain Pen (19th Century)

  • 1809: English patent by Frederick Fölsch for a reservoir pen.
  • 1827: French patent by Petrache Poenaru, one of the first functional fountain pens.
  • 1850-1880: Development of improved feeders and more reliable ink reservoirs.

The Golden Age (1880-1930)

  • 1883: Lewis Edson Waterman patents a new capillary feed system, making fountain pens more reliable.
  • Late 19th Century: The emergence of iconic brands such as Waterman, Parker, Sheaffer, and Montblanc.
  • 1920-1930: Innovations such as the lever filler (Sheaffer, 1912) and the Vacumatic system (Parker, 1933).

Decline and Transformation (1950-2000)

  • 1950: The invention of the ballpoint pen by Bíró reduces the popularity of the fountain pen.
  • 1960-1980: Production becomes limited to luxury and collector’s markets.
  • 1990: The fountain pen sees a revival as a symbol of prestige and elegance.

The Fountain Pen Today (2000-Present)

  • Growing market for luxury and collector’s items.
  • Innovations in materials and filling systems.
  • Renewed interest in handwriting.