A fountain pen is a pen that works by capillary action - drawing water-based liquid ink to its nib from the reservoir within. The reservoir may be refilled with ink using an eyedropper or by using a mechanism to suck ink from an ink bottle through the nib. This reservoir may also be replaced altogether with a disposable ink cartridge.
The earliest fountain pens go back to the 10th century AD. In 953, Ma’ad al-Mu’izz, the Caliph of Egypt became tired of smudging his hands with ink. He was instrumental in developing a pen, which held ink in an in-built reservoir. The ink was then delivered to the nib via the force of gravity and capillary action. This pen came to be known as a fountain pen.
Ink reservoirs of earliest fountain pens were filled using an eyedropper. An eyedropper could make quite a mess and so came the next generation of ink fillers – rubber sacs. Thereafter came, the cartridges. These are comparatively not so messy and consequently convenient to use.
The fountain pen continued to reign supreme till the 1950s and 1960s. Early ballpoint pens were leaky and messy, while the fountain pen was ubiquitous due to mass production. However, by the late 1960s the ballpoint pen improved its technology and rose in popularity over fountain pens.
In the days of yore, fountain pens were inlaid with precious gems and lacquer and were even made from precious metals. The modern fountain pen consists of a nib usually made of stainless steel or gold. Gold is preferred due to its malleability and its resistance to corrosion. Gold nibs used in fountain pens are mostly 14 or 18 karat. Fountain pen nibs are now available in different sizes – fine, medium and broad and are also available in different shapes – oblique, reverse oblique, stub, italic and 360 degree nibs.
The fountain pen has qualities of timeless elegance, sentimental value and exclusivity for some. A few fountain pens have even been prized as works of unparalleled craftsmanship. There is still a loyal clientele who use fountain pens for reasons of expressive penmanship, aesthetics and sheer habit. In fact, the fountain pen is still used in certain schools in England, France, Germany and Scotland. Fountain pens are also used in expressive calligraphy. Another reason for their popularity lies in the easy availability of different ink colours.
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