History of the Pen...

Originally developed in approximately 700 A.D., the Quill pen, made from various types of bird feather, was the writing instrument of choice for over one thousand years. Parchment, which was created from prepared animal skin, required a sharp writing instrument, thus requiring regular sharpening with a special knife(origin of the "pen-knife"). As a result Quills needed to be replaced every 1-2 weeks.

As writing evolved, the demand for a more sophisticated and reliable instrument increased. Early pen designers tried to replicate the natural reservoir and channel of the quill pen, leading to the design of the first "fountain" pen in 1702. However, it wasn't until 1884 that a practical fountain pen was produced by Lewis Waterman. Waterman was motivated to produce a better pen after losing business when his pen leaked and ruined a contract as it was about to be signed. While Waterman waited for new documents to be drawn up, his client left and went to a competitor.

As pens evolved, they began to utilize a system for storing ink within the body of the pen. Pen nibs were dipped into ink wells and the ink was drawn up into a storage reservoir. By 1950, ink was being sold in glass or plastic cartridges which could easily be removed and replaced.

In 1938, a Hungarian journalist by the name of Laszlo Biro invented the first "ballpoint" pen. He had observed that a special, fast-drying ink used for newspapers prevented the smudging that plagued those who used fountain pens. Because this ink was to thick for a traditional fountain pen, he created a new pen using a ball bearing in the tip. This design was very similar to the modern-day "roll-on" deodorant.

Several companies immediately seized on the concept of the "Biro" pen, which was originally adopted by pilots in British Air Force as an alternative to the fountain pens, which leaked at high altitude. Price wars and poor manufacturing led to disappointment in the early ballpoint's, which dropped from initial pricing of $12.50 per pen, to $.50. By 1951, the ballpoint had faded into obscurity and the fountain pen once again reigned supreme. Parker, Schaeffer and Waterman were the dominant companies.

In 1950, Baron Bich of France dropped the "h" from his name and started a pen company, "Bic". Over the next 10 years, they dominated the European pen market and eventually bought the Waterman Pen Company of New York. In 1954, Parker introduced the "Jotter", a ballpoint pen that worked. It became an instant success. By 1960, Bic was producing inexpensive ballpoint's, selling as low as $.29. Currently, the Bic Crystal (a successor to the "Biro") has projected daily sales of 14 million units. Meanwhile, the Parker Black Ballpoint is reported to contain enough ink to draw a line 5 miles long.

While the ballpoint has evolved to become a household standard, the fountain pen continues to be used by those who appreciate the aesthetics of a quality writing instrument. While email and text messaging continues to evolve, there are many individuals who appreciate the personal touch of a handwritten note or card.

Nickel City Pens produces a variety of finely crafted pens, including ballpoint, rollerball and fountain pens. Pen bodies are individually created from attractive wood or acrylic blanks, while writing components are contructed from the finest gold, titanium, platinum or iridium. The result is a one-of-a-kind pen that is both attractive and durable, thereby making writing an enjoyable experience.