How easy it is to grab a pen and go!
We have numerous plastic barreled implements which expel ink with which we scrawl messages of varying importance: shopping lists, phone numbers, poetry and URLs.
We almost don't even need to purchase a pen anymore as there is often someone willing to put one in our hand with the hope that we will read the message ON the pen and buy their product or idea. What was formerly a tool for writing has become a message itself. Or see the chandelier made of pens.
But how did we get here? What have we lost along the way?
The earliest historical record of a reservoir pen dates back to the 10th century. In 953, Ma'ād al-Mu'izz, the caliph of Egypt, demanded a pen which would not stain his hands or clothes, and was provided with a pen which held ink in a reservoir and delivered it to the nib via gravity and capillary action. Al-Mu’izz commissioned the construction of the pen instructing:
Other Islamic Inventions profiled.
How did we get from from writing with a reed cut to a point on papyrus found growing along the Nile to today and do we give much thought to the thing in our hand which records our thoughts on paper?
Dare I ask the question: are pens and paper to go the way of books, so say some, and become relics of pre-electronic technology?
I hope not. I love beautiful paper and lovely pens. I recognise in the handwriting of my friends, their emotions and attitudes and humour.
Read The Gift of a Letter
We have numerous plastic barreled implements which expel ink with which we scrawl messages of varying importance: shopping lists, phone numbers, poetry and URLs.
We almost don't even need to purchase a pen anymore as there is often someone willing to put one in our hand with the hope that we will read the message ON the pen and buy their product or idea. What was formerly a tool for writing has become a message itself. Or see the chandelier made of pens.
But how did we get here? What have we lost along the way?
The earliest historical record of a reservoir pen dates back to the 10th century. In 953, Ma'ād al-Mu'izz, the caliph of Egypt, demanded a pen which would not stain his hands or clothes, and was provided with a pen which held ink in a reservoir and delivered it to the nib via gravity and capillary action. Al-Mu’izz commissioned the construction of the pen instructing:"We wish to construct a pen which can be used for writing without having recourse to an ink-holder and whose ink will be contained inside it. A person can fill it with ink and write whatever he likes. The writer can put it in his sleeve or anywhere he wishes and it will not stain nor will any drop of ink leak out of it. The ink will flow only when there is an intention to write. We are unaware of anyone previously ever constructing (a pen such as this) and an indication of ‘penetrating wisdom' to whoever contemplates it and realises its exact significance and purpose'. I exclaimed, ‘Is this possible?' He replied, ‘It is possible if God so wills."This article explores the Muslim heritage and also the European evolution of the technology.
Other Islamic Inventions profiled.
How did we get from from writing with a reed cut to a point on papyrus found growing along the Nile to today and do we give much thought to the thing in our hand which records our thoughts on paper?
Dare I ask the question: are pens and paper to go the way of books, so say some, and become relics of pre-electronic technology?
I hope not. I love beautiful paper and lovely pens. I recognise in the handwriting of my friends, their emotions and attitudes and humour.
Read The Gift of a Letter
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