Article: Personal and Intimate Ink Pens

Everyday we communicate. In today's world of e-mail and e-cards it's the easiest and quickest way of getting our messages and notes to our intended recipients. For some people though, this method lacks that little something special. More and more people are looking for a more personal way of communicating heartfelt messages and they are turning back the pages of time to the pen and paper.

The methods used to personalize messages and notes vary from individual to individual. Some people prefer colored inks and papers, while some people like to use different kinds of pens. In today's world there are many different types of writing implements; they range from the bamboo reed pen to quills, to pastel chalks and colored pencils, even ink markers. A whole new world of personalization opened up with the trend of scrap booking. Now there even more devices to communicate those special messages. Paper cutouts, rubber stamps, stickers and more ways to decorate your special thoughts than you can imagine. The hunt for a more personal technique to convey messages usually starts by selecting the writing implement. More often individuals find themselves favoring the special pens.

What is considered a specialty or novelty pens on current markets, are actually pens that are based upon time tested technology. Writing implements have been used all throughout history to communicate stories, thoughts and messages. Credit of the first known pen is given to the swamp-reed pen dating back to 2000 b.c. The word pen as we know it today, actually stems from the Latin word penna, meaning feather. Feathers were found to be an extremely useful implement to apply inks or dyes. The feather pen is also known as a quill. Quills were predominating in the early 600's and were typically made of goose feathers. Certain characteristics of the feather made the quill appealing as a pen. The hardness and hollowness assisted in the functionality. The shaft of the feather was hollow and it contributed in holding a small amount of ink and acting as a reservoir. Due to the hardness of these pens, they were not really used on plant fiber paper. They were mainly used on parchment which is a form of thinly scraped animal skin. The quill pen was indeed a writing implement that needed much maintenance. To keep a fine point at the end, the user must sharpen it with a small knife, known as a pen knife.

► Personal and intimate communication. Depiction of modern day fountain pen irridium tipped nib. Illustrated by Sun At Night Studios.

The quill evolved into the fountain pen, which exhibited steel nibs that didn't need to be sharpened. Inking processes was still the same as the quill, as it needs to be dipped every few words. The fountain pen has gone through many upgrades and re-designs. Steel nibs were replaced by gold plated ones, which were in turn replaced with iridium tips which provide more durability. Dipping constantly into inks was often thought of as tedious and cumbersome, which inspired ink reservoirs to be designed. Later on, cartridges were designed and pre-filled with ink in which the consumer could easily replace. To this day, variations of all types of fountain pens can still be found.

The ballpoint pen is what is found in almost every pocket or purse. This is what everyone is familiar with. The idea of the ballpoint has been around since the late 1800's. It wasn't until World War II that it became practical. One study taken in Scotland in 1956 showed that 15 percent of the participants were ballpoint enthusiasts. Popularity of the ballpoint pen skyrocketed since its introduction, and with good reason. It is highly functional, convenient and can be manufactured at different price points. It is the most well known pen around the world. Just as the fountain pen was modified so was the ballpoint. The ballpoint pens have seen the most modifications in the actual ball and in the inks. Inks must be slightly thicker than those used in the fountain pen. Special inks were invented especially for the ballpoint pen, new colors were offered as well as erasable inks.

For those individuals who are looking for a more personal and intimate writing implement, there is plenty of choices. The popular choice is looking back at what their parents were familiar with - the fountain pen. For others, they prefer a slice of history by selecting what their grandparents used - the dip fountain pen. No matter what special pen is selected, most people believe that they are saying something special simply with the act of using it. The communication and the messages become more personal and intimate.