The Parker Pen: Smooth Flow of Ink

In an age of rapid, typed communication over digital devices, there is something timeless and earnest about a fountain pen’sflow of ink words on paper. Combining elegance, simplicity and technical precision, the Parker pen is one of the most popular items of stationery in the world. Its founder was George Safford Parker, an American entrepreneur who dedicated his life to the design and production of exemplary pens. His mission statement, used successfully in advertising campaigns, was: “It will always be possible to make a better pen.”

faulty pens

Born in 1863 in Shullsburg, Wisconsin, Parker worked as a telegraphy instructor and sold fountain pens part-time for the John Holland Pens Company, but he spent much of his spare time repairing the faults in those of his students. Frustrated by the unreliable ink flow of most fountain pens, provoking leakages and smudging, he designed and patented his own ink feed system. In 1888, he launched his own company: the Parker Pen Company Limited.

LUCKY CURVE

From a factory in nearby Janesville, Parker pioneered new and more reliable pen designs. His big breakthrough came in 1894 with the Lucky Curve anti-leak ink feed system, which used capillary action to drain unused ink into the reservoir. With a smooth flow of ink guaranteed, Parker pens were soon recognised for their fail-proof excellence. In an era of hand-written letters and hand-signed documents, Parker pens became bestsellers and appeared at the 1904 international exhibition, St. Louis World’s Fair, in Missouri. 

INNOVATION

Parker continued to improve and innovate: the jointless pen in 1898, the Duofold Big Red pen in the Roaring Twenties and Quink (quick drying ink) in 1931. Although Parker died in 1937, his son Kenneth continued the company’s pioneering spirit. In 1941, Parker produced the most famous model in fountain pen history: the Parker 51. Marketed as “The World’s Most Wanted Pen”, the 51 was inspired by aeronautical design (Kenneth Parker was an aviator in World War One) and its streamline contours and precision delighted users across the globe. 

CONCENTRATION

While vintage Parker pens are highly collectible, the firm still launches new, improved models onto the market. In recent years, Parker pens and fountain pens in general have experienced a revival in sales, with writing enthusiasts, professionals and collectors adding a touch of sophistication to their everyday lives. Fountain pen users believe that the smooth and steady flow of ink helps to improve concentration and attention to detail, memory retention and comprehension. The act of writing with a fountain pen engages all the senses, making the text produced seem so much more genuine.