subject: History Of Parker Pens [print this page] Parker Pens were founded on a dream of creating a better pen. Founded back in 1888 by George Safford Parker, George wanted to create a pen that didn't leak and wrote well. A telegraphy teacher by trade, George Parker started his career in pens not by making them but by actually selling them part-time. His problems started when the pens that he was selling started to break and he found that he was spending more and more time repairing pens than actually selling them. This is when the idea of creating a better pen began.
In 1889 George created his first Parker Fountain Pen and following an investment in 1891 the Parker Pen Company started to take off. The next milestone was in 1894 when the company came up with what they called the Lucky curve ink feeding system. This system was designed to drain the ink back into the ink reservoir using capillary action. This unique system was used right up until 1928 and put Parker pens on the map.
Following even more innovations, Parker worked on developing the international markets and in 1903 George embarked on a world tour in the hopes are securing worldwide distribution of the Parker brand.
When world war one broke out, business slowed for many companies but due to the invention of the Parker Trench pen, the US War Department awarded Parker a contract that ensured the continued growth of the company.
Sadly George Safford Parker passed away in 1937 at the age of 74. Fortunately the Parker pen brand continued on.
Over the decades the Parker Pen brand has continued to go from strength to strength, always aiming to be at the front of product innovation and quality. With a wide range of options and designs, everyone is bound to find a Parker Pen to suit their needs.
