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History of the Parker Pen Company

We all know how popular the brand of the Parker Pen is. In fact, there are so many people who prefer to use this brand of pen all over America, and even in other parts of the world. There is actually one particular reason that is worth mentioning as to why the brand of Parker has become so strong. Before this reason is disclosed, it would be proper to discuss the humble beginnings of the pen making industry in America.

This industry dates way back to 1809, when the demand and the need for pens became quite strong from customers all over the country. Sadly, it was not until the 1880′s that the Parker fountain pen was conceptualized. But what’s even sadder than this is the fact that the pens that were in the circuit before the Parker fountain pen was developed were deemed unreliable. Oftentimes, the pens would be found to blot on paper. If the pens were not blotting, they were either drying up or leaking. All of these changed with the coming of the Parker fountain pen. This is basically why the foundation of the pen has always been strong in the industry of pen making.

Born on November 1, 1863, George Stafford Parker grew up in Shullsberg, Wisconsin, under the care of parents Norman S. Parker and Jane Parker. George’s parents were considered very influential at the time, when the town of Shullsberg was still flying on its young wings. As a young lad, Parker helped his father out with the chores that came with farming. The fields and the nurseries were just some of the many spots Parker tended to as a young child. During the cold winter months, Parker attended classes at the school that was located just in his town. Being exposed to the many lessons during winter season, it did not take long for Parker to realize that he was not fit for the life of a farmer. He had developed a vast interest in both travel and technology that he felt settling for the farming life would mean settling for less in the long run. Parker then attended Upper Iowa University. When he saw an advertisement for a school in Janesville known as Valentine School of Telegraphy, Parker took it upon himself to move to Wisconsin to try his luck there.

After graduating with a college degree to his belt, Parker then started teaching telegraphy to the students in the area. He also took a job on the side selling John Holland Fountain Pens. He focused on his students for his market; however, it soon became very noticeable that the pens were not of superb quality. More often than not, his students would complain to him that the pens he sold them were very prone to leaking and breaking. There were also times when the pens would contain too little or too much ink, and rarely the right amount of ink.

Pretty soon, Parker began to notice that he was exerting as much time and effort fixing the very pens he sold to his students, as that of selling the pens to them in the first place. But then, his students became very impressed with the way he fixed the pens that he sold to them. Soon, his sales figures began rising because he became very trustworthy when it came to repairing the pens. However, with this success came frustration on George Parker as well. The more pens he sold, the more pens he had to repair! His frustration became so intense at one point in time that he decided to think of ways of building a better pen for himself. Not long after that moment came the momentous decision to indeed build a better fountain pen, thus laying the foundation of the Parker Pen Company.

About the Author

Neil Thompson is a fashion writer who specialises in men’s gifts and accessories. He has a particular interest in pens and wallets and brands such as Ted Baker and Parker. Click here for more information on wallets and pens.

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