Parker Pen Co. (United States) fountain / ballpoint pens

The Parker Pen Company, manufacturer of luxury pens and was founded in Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1888 by George Safford Parker. Parker had previously been a sales agent for the John Holland Gold Pen Company, but he believed he could produce a better pen himself.

Parker's first pen, the Parker Jointless, was patented in 1894 and featured an ink reservoir that could be refilled with a dropper. Parker's innovation was a better ink delivery system, which he called the "Lucky Curve," that prevented ink from leaking and helped the pen write more smoothly.

In 1906, the company moved to Newhaven, Connecticut, where it remains headquartered today. The company continued to innovate, introducing the Duofold pen in 1921, which was the first pen with a streamlined shape and was available in a range of colors.

During World War II, the Parker Pen Company produced pens for the military and introduced more... the famous Parker "51" pen, which became a symbol of the postwar era. The "51" was popular due to its sleek design and reliability.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Parker continued to expand its product line and introduced ballpoint pens, which became incredibly popular. In the 1970s, Parker introduced the Parker "75" pen, which was a luxury pen made with gold, silver, and platinum.

In 1993, the Parker Pen Company was acquired by the Gillette Company, which later merged with Procter & Gamble in 2005. Parker continues to produce high-quality writing instruments, including fountain pens, ballpoint pens, and rollerball pens, and is recognized as a leading brand in the luxury pen market. less...