Fountain pens have a history stretching back over a thousand years -- and along the way, they have accumulated some remarkable stories. Here are some of our favourite facts.
History
- The first recorded fountain pen was requested in 973 by Fatimid Caliph Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah, who wanted a pen that would not leak over his hands and clothes. He was presented with a pen with an internal ink reservoir.
- The oldest known fountain pen dates from 1702 and was designed by M. Bion of France. It still exists today.
- The modern fountain pen as we know it was developed in 1884 by American Lewis Waterman, after his own pen leaked and cost him an important business deal.
Writing
- The invention of the fountain pen sped up writing considerably -- no more repeated dipping into an inkwell. It also lays down less ink than a dip pen, reducing drying time and smudging.
- Writing with a fountain pen can reduce hand pain associated with arthritis. The pen uses its own weight to flow across the page, requiring far less pressure than a ballpoint.
- Gold nibs adjust to their owner's writing style over time, as gold is a soft metal that gradually conforms to the angle and pressure of the individual writer.
Surprising Facts
- Interestingly, more left-handed people use fountain pens than right-handed people.
- The most expensive pen in the world is the Tibaldi Fulgor Nocturnus, encrusted with rubies and black diamonds. It sold for £6.5 million ($8 million).
- During the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, Buzz Aldrin used a felt-tip pen to fix a broken circuit breaker that was preventing their return to Earth. "I used a felt tip pen and pushed it in. Houston says 'Hooray, we got a live circuit!' Then we were ready to proceed with the countdown."
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