Fountain Pen Day – November 4, 2022, history, significance
Fountain Pen Day takes place on the first Friday in November, so it’s on November 4 this year. It started in 2012 and is a day set aside to specially embrace and promote the use of fountain pens and the enjoyment of writing in general.
The day is supported by many businesses and organizations worldwide, and it is common for supporting businesses to hold offers and promotions either on or leading up to the day. The point of the day is to emphasize the beauty of writing with elegant tools and the joy of creative writing in style.
History of Fountain Pen Day
The tools used for writing have gone through some massive changes throughout history. To begin with, it was chisels used to mark stone, a bit of papyrus reed to mark out the shapes of cuneiform, or bits of charcoal used to mark words on pieces of Birch Bark or bits of leaf.
Eventually, the ink was created, using various types of plant matter, animals, and eventually iron and extract of Oak galls. Ink required a new tool, and that tool was initially the dip quill pen, a bit of feather (usual goose) with a carefully cut nib to draw up the ink and transfer it to paper.
This was such an amazing innovation that it stayed with us for a goodly long while, but ultimately a new creation was needed that didn’t require constant dipping, and that didn’t require constant recutting of the nib.
So it was that the fountain pen came to exist in 1636, combining a wonderful reservoir of ink with a metal nib that didn’t require being recut constantly. The world of writing was changed forever, and it took 300 years for an innovation to come along that overshadowed it.
Overshadowed, but not eliminated, the Fountain Pen is still the writing utensil of choice for those who prefer a more traditional, elegant, and beautiful method of writing. It also has the benefit of producing a cleaner and more consistent line. Fountain Pen Day honors this writing utensil with the long, and ongoing, history.
FOUNTAIN PEN DAY TIMELINE
1828
Better Nib for Pens
Josiah Mason improves a cheap and efficient slip-in nib in Birmingham, England.
1890
Ink Cartridges Patented
A patent is filed for an ink cartridge system for fountain pens.
1912
Efficient Fountain Pen
William Schaeffer designs the first truly successful fountain pen.
1960s
Plastic Cartridge
Fountain pen makers begin to adopt the use of plastic cartridges.
HOW TO CELEBRATE FOUNTAIN PEN DAY
Start a personal collection of pens
This is a good day to begin your collection of fountain pens. Create a suitable budget for purchasing them, and begin your journey as a ‘penthusiast’.
Write a letter to someone with your favorite fountain pen
Words written with a fountain pen surely resonate differently than words penned with a ballpoint pen or typed. Compose a letter to a dear friend or family with one, and let them feel special.
Spread the joy of pen enthusiasm
Try to revive the art of penmanship by starting a group for pen pals, writing, and receiving real letters. You could approach your local branch of the military or a nursing hospital to write letters to those serving in beautifully crafted fountain pen writing, or start an initiative with your local library
5 FACTS ABOUT FOUNTAIN PENS THAT WILL FASCINATE YOU
Made and used by Da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci constructed and used a fountain pen during the Renaissance.
Stress relief
One can watch YouTube videos on stress-relieving writing exercises done with fountain pens.
Glass and copper cartridges
In the early 20th century, cartridges were made from glass and thin copper tubing.
They can be adaptable
Fountain pens with gold nibs slowly adjust to a user over time as the metal corrodes slightly to accommodate their writing style.
Nano pen
The smallest fountain pen on record is called the ‘Nanofountain probe” and can write or paint features that are just 40 nanometers in width, which is half that of a human hair.
WHY WE LOVE FOUNTAIN PEN DAY
Fountain pens are versatile
Besides writing, fountain pens can serve other purposes. This includes artistic purposes such as expressive penmanship and calligraphy, pen and ink artwork, and professional art and design.
Shows us the beauty of words
Words can be very beautiful and special, not just from their meanings but from the appearance of the letters. Fountain pens do the perfect job of bringing out these lovely features of words.
It provides a platform to connect
There are fountain pen shows and hangouts where enthusiasts get to meet and interact. This day provides that platform to expand one’s social circle and knowledge.
