The History of the Fountain Pen

The first known fountain pen was invented over aeyedropper.
thousand years ago in the Middle East. In 953, theA number of different self-filling mechanisms were
caliph of Egypt commissioned a pen that could besubsequently introduced in the early 1900s. The issue
filled with ink and then be carried around withoutof leakage was addressed soon thereafter when
leaking. He was subsequently presented with a pen"safety" fountain pens came onto the market. There
with a reservoir of ink that was delivered to the nibwas one type with a nib that formed a cork for the
by gravity and capillary action.ink cavity when retracted, and another that featured
The fountain pen was largely unknown in thea screw-on cap with a protective inner cap.
Western world until the 19th century. SeveralThere were further technological improvements over
different types of fountain pen were invented in thethe next few decades. New filling techniques
first half of that century. Early models were,appeared, and new designs and colours were
however, fraught with problems, and they did notintroduced when celluloid replaced hard rubber.
become popular until the 1850s when there wereThen in the 1960s, most people started switching to
three important inventions: hard rubber, free-flowingballpoint pens when they became cheaper and more
ink and the iridium-tipped gold nib.reliable. Fountain pens came to be seen as
Lewis Waterman is credited with inventing the firstold-fashioned and inconvenient. The fountain pen is
practical fountain pen in New York in 1884. Massenjoying something of a renaissance now, though,
production was now possible, and the fountain penand has gained a loyal following among those who
became more accessible for the general public.appreciate the craftsmanship, heritage and flexibility
Nevertheless, the pens often leaked, and filling themof this expressive writing instrument.
entailed an awkward and messy procedure with an