Conklin (United States) fountain pens

The Conklin Pen Company was founded in 1898 in Toledo, Ohio, by Roy Conklin. Initially, the company produced mechanical pencils and dip pens, but in 1901, Conklin introduced its first fountain pen, the Crescent Filler.

The Crescent Filler was unique because it featured a crescent-shaped filling mechanism that was easy to use and prevented ink spills. The user would simply turn the crescent knob on the pen to draw ink into the barrel, and then turn it again to expel excess ink and create a vacuum seal.

The Crescent Filler was an instant success and became one of Conklin's most popular pens. It was so popular that it was used by Mark Twain, who famously endorsed the pen, saying that it was "the only pen that can write upside down".

Conklin continued to innovate and improve its fountain pens over the years, introducing new designs and filling mechanisms. more... In 1916, Conklin introduced the Endura, which featured a transparent barrel that allowed users to see the ink level. In 1923, Conklin introduced the Nozac, which had a transparent barrel and a piston-filling mechanism.

During the 1920s and 1930s, Conklin was one of the largest and most successful fountain pen manufacturers in the United States, but the company struggled during the Great Depression and production ceased in the 1950s.

In the 2000s, the Conklin brand was revived making pens based on the original designs. In 2009 this new entity was in turn purchased by the mighty Yafa Brands which began producing new Conklin fountain pens based on the company's classic designs. less...