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[[Image:Logo-Parker.svg|center|300px|Logo Parker]]
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{{DEFAULTCATEGORYSORT:Parker}}[[Image:Logo-Parker.svg|center|300px|Parker  Logo]]
  
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[[Parker]] is one of the few American historical fountain pens brand remained continuously active to this day. ''The Parker Pen Company'' was founded by ''George Safford Parker'' in 1888 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Today the company is owned by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanford_%28writing_products%29 Sanford], a division of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newell_Rubbermaid Newell Rubbermaid] that also owns [[Waterman]].
  
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[[Parker]] is one of the few American historical fountain pens brand remained continuously active to this day. ''The Parker Pen Company was founded by ''George Safford Parker'' in 1889 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Today the company is owned by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanford_%28writing_products%29 Sanford], a division of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newell_Rubbermaid Newell Rubbermaid] that also owns [[Waterman]].
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Although the company always produced good quality fountain pens, [[Parker]] golden age goes from the '20s to '60s, when the company has distinguished itself for its great innovation capacity, obtaining always strong success. Thanks also to the creation of a vast network of branch offices (Canada, England, Denmark, France, Mexico, and Argentina), the company always maintained top rankings in worldwide sales of fountain pens, and was successful also in the ballpoint pen era. Together with [[Sheaffer]], [[Waterman]] and [[Wahl-Eversharp]] is a recognized member of the [[Big Four]].{{Infobox_Brand|Parker}}{{BrandData|Founder=George S. Parker|Date=1888|Place=Janesville, Wisconsin|Country=US}}
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==History==
  
 
[[Image:Parker-Plant.jpg|thumb|[[Parker]] early plant]]
 
[[Image:Parker-Plant.jpg|thumb|[[Parker]] early plant]]
  
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Although the company always produced good quality fountain pens, [[Parker]] golden age goes from the '20s to '60s, when the company has distinguished itself for its great innovation capacity, obtaining always strong success. Thanks also to the creation of a vast network of branch offices (Canada, England, Denmark, France, Mexico, and Argentina), the company always maintained top rankings in worldwide sales of fountain pens, and was successful also in the ballpoint pen era. Together with [[Sheaffer]], [[Waterman]] and [[Wahl-Eversharp]] is a recognized member of the [[Big Four]].  
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[[Parker]] was founded in Janesville in Wisconsin in [[1888]] by ''George Safford Parker'', which previously had operated as a reseller for the [[Holland|John Holland Pen Company]]. ''George Safford Parker'', who worked as a teacher of telegraphy, supplemented its income with the trade in fountain pens. Having to repair the pens that he sold, it began to improve their functioning, and because the pens he changed worked better than the original and had success, he decided to found his own company.  
  
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== History ==
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[[Image:Parker-Overlay-Eyedropper-LuckyCurve-Open.jpg|thumb|left|Early ''[[Lucky Curve]]'']]
  
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[[Parker]] was foundend in Janesville in Wisconsin in 1889 by ''George Safford Parker'', which previously had operated as a reseller for the [[Holland|John Holland Pen Company]]. George Parker, who worked as a teacher of telegraphy, supplemented its income with the trade in fountian pens. Having to repair the pens that he sold, it began to improve their functioning, and because the pens he changed worked better than the original and had success, he decided to found his own company.  
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He obtained his first patent ({{Cite patent|US|416944}}) in [[1889]], and a subsequent patent ({{Cite patent|US|512319}}) in [[1894]] for his special ''[[Lucky Curve]]'' feeder, which went back inside the pen with a special curved shape that is claimed to be able to call back the excess ink when the pen was not in use. In [[1891]] ''George Parker'' associated with ''William F. Palmer'', an insurer and they incorporated ''The Parker Pen Company'' in Janesville.
  
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[[Image:Parker-Overlay-Eyedropper-LuckyCurve-Open.jpg|thumb|Early ''[[Lucky Curve]]'']]
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In fact, the ''"[[Lucky Curve]]"'' was simply a good feeder, which remained in production until [[1928]], and was used as a trademark for a number of pens, but there are doubts that the curved form actually had the effect to avoid the accumulation of ink, because much repairers cutted it, because the curved part makes it difficult to reinsert it between the nib and section.
  
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He obtained his first patent ({{Cite patent|US|293545}}) in 1889, and a subsequent patent ({{Cite patent|US|512319}}) in 1894 for his special ''[[Lucky Curve]]'' feeder, which went back inside the pen with a special curved shape that is claimed to be able to call back the excess ink when the pen was not in use. In 1891 ''George Parker'' associated with ''W. F. Palmer'', an insurer and they incorporated ''The Parker Pen Company'' in Janesville.
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[[File:Parker-Snake-Silver-Capped.jpg|thumb|A rare [[Parker Snake]] ]]
  
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In fact, the ''"[[Lucky Curve]]"'' was simply a good feeder, which remained in production until 1928, and was used as a trademark for a number of pens, but there are doubts that the curved form actually had the effect to avoid the accumulation of ink, because much repairers cutted it, because the curved part makes it difficult to reinsert it between the nib and section.
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In the early years [[Parker]] began manufacturing good quality hard rubber pens. In this period it was famous for her silver overlay pens, and in particular for the [[Parker Snake|Snake]] pen with a snake shaped [[overlay]], that is sought after by collectors for its rarity, and for the [[Black Giant]] pen, characterized by a very large size. Another distinction point for [[Parker]] pens was the creation of [[button filler]], introduced in [[1913]] as reaction to the creation of the [[lever filler]], which was never been used in the company's flagship models, despite is diffusion between all the competitors of that time.
  
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[[Image:Parker-Snake-Capped.jpg|thumb|A rare [[Parker Snake]] ]]
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[[Image:1922-11-Parker-Duofold-RHR.jpg|thumb|left|[[Duofold]] advertisement from '20s.]]
  
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In the early years [[Parker]] began manufacturing good quality ebonite pens. In this period it was famous for her silver overlay pens, and in particular for the [[Parker Snake|Snake]] pen with a snake shaped [[overlay]], that is sought after by collectors for its rarity, and for the [[Black Giant]] pen, characterized by a very large size. Another distinction point for [[Parker]] pens was the creation of [[button filler]], introduced in 1916 as reaction to the creation of the [[lever filler]], which was never been used in the company's flagship models, despite is diffusion between all the competitors of that time.
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[[Parker]] continued to produce hard rubber pens with good results, focusing on the functionality of his pens and on the benefits of the [[button filler]], but the real breakthrough came in [[1921]] with the launch of [[Duofold]], which was a huge success, by getting the company at the top of sales. The creation of a large pen, made ​​of hard rubber of a bright red color, was a revolution in the fountain pen world until then dominated by the black color, and foreshadowed the introduction of the celluloid colors by several years.  
  
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[[Image:1922-11-Parker-Duofold-RHR.jpg|thumb|left|Pubblicità della [[Duofold]] degli anni '20.]]
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The success of the [[Duofold]], despite its price (10 dollars) was high for the time, continued for over a decade in which the models were revised several times, adjusting the production to the introduction of new materials such as celluloid or the new ''[[Streamlined]]'' style with tapered models. In [[1923]] was opened a plant in Canada, and was introduced a [[Duofold|Lady Duofold]] model for women. In [[1926]] also the [[Parker]] began to move production from hard rubber to celluloid.
  
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La [[Parker]] continuò a produrre penne in ebanite con buoni risultati, puntando sulla funzionalità delle sue penne e sui vantaggi del [[pulsante di fondo]], ma il vero salto di qualità avvenne nel 1921, con il lancio sul mercato della [[Duofold]], che riscosse un enorme successo, facendo arrivare l'azienda ai vertici delle vendite. La creazione di una penna di grandi dimensioni, realizzata in ebanite di un colore rosso vivo, fu una rivoluzione nel mondo fino allora dominato dal colore nero, ed anticipò di vari anni l'introduzione dei colori della celluloide.  
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[[Image:Parker-Duofold-VestsPocket-Serie.jpg|thumb|All color for ''[[Vest pocket]]''  [[Duofold]].]]
  
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Il successo della [[Duofold]], nonostante il suo prezzo (10 dollari) fosse elevato per l'epoca, proseguì per oltre un decennio, in cui i modelli vennero rivisti più volte, adeguandoli alla introduzione di nuovi materiali come la celluloide o alla moda delle forme affusolate con i modelli ''[[Streamlined]]''. Nel 1923 venne aperto un impianto in Canada, e venne introdotto il modello da donna [[Duofold|Lady Duofold]]. Nel 1926 anche la [[Parker]] iniziò a passare la produzione dall'ebanite alla celluloide.
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In [[1926]] was introduced an economic model, the [[Duofold|Parker DQ]], named such as ''Duofold Quality'' and at the end ofhe same year the company introduced also the [[Pastels]] models in pastel colors, as an alternative to the [[Duofold]] ladies models, sold at a lower price. But with the coming of Great Depression, the company was faced with a critical period.  
  
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[[Image:Parker-Duofold-VestsPocket-Serie.jpg|thumb|Tutti i colori delle [[Duofold]] nel formato ''[[Vest pocket]]'']]
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In [[1929]] the profits that were enormous suffered a steep fall, many producers failed and others had to sell off their pens at low prices. [[Parker]], that taken years to establish its brand, decided not to devalue his pens, and kept prices high for the [[Duofold]], but in order to compete in [[1932]] introduced a range of economic models, school-type, for which they did no advertising. These models did not have a name and are usually indicated by collectors as [[Thrift Time]], or ''[[Parker depression pen|depression pen]]''.
  
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Nel 1926 venne anche introdotto un modello economico, la [[Duofold|Parker DQ]], da ''Duofold Quality''.
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[[Image:1941-09-Parker-Vacumatic-Major.jpg|thumb|A [[Vacumatic]] advertisement of 1941.]]
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Nel 1927 l'azienda introdusse i modelli [[Pastel]] in colori pastello come alternativa al modello [[Duofold]] da signora venduto ad un prezzo minore, ma con l'arrivo della grande depressione l'azienda si trovò ad affrontare un periodo critico.
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[[File:Parker-Vacumatic-3rdGen-Major-RingedBrown-Clip.jpg|left|thumb|100px|The [[Vacumatic]] arrow clip]]
  
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Nel 1929 i profitti che fino allora erano stati enormi subirono un ripido crollo, molti produttori fallirono ed altri si ritrovarono a svendere le proprie penne. La [[Parker]] che aveva impiegato anni a stabilire il suo marchio decise di non svalutare le sue penne e mantenne i prezzi elevati per la [[Duofold]], per rispondere alla concorrenza però nel 1932 introdusse sul mercato anche una serie di modelli economici, di tipo scolastico, per i quali non fece nessuna pubblicità. Questi modelli non ebbero assegnato un nome e vengono usualmente indicati dai collezionisti come [[Thrift Time]], o ''[[Parker depression pen|depression pen]]''.
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The company, the had wisely piled stock in the good period, continued to invest in research, testing new materials and new filling systems, up to the realization, in 1933, of the wonderful [[Vacumatic]], with the arrow clip drawn from ''Joseph Platt'' (patent {{Cite patent|US|D088821}}, who has since then become the company symbol) with a transparent tank thanks to the [[Sistemi di caricamento#vacumatic|new filling system with the same name]]. The new pen reported the company at the top of the market.
  
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[[Image:1941-09-Parker-Vacumatic-Major.jpg|thumb|Pubblicità della [[Vacumatic]] del 1941.]]
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In [[1939]], following a trend initiated by [[Sheaffer]] with his ''[[White dot]]'' and followed by other brands, also [[Parker]] adopted a symbol to indicate the lifetime warranty, putting in the head of their pens clips the ''[[Blue diamond]]'', a small diamond in blue enamel. Unlike what happened for other brands the symbol was introduced late and for a relatively short period, going to disappear after a few years.
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[[Image:Vacumatic-Major-Clip.jpg|left|thumb|100px|La tipica clip a freccia della [[Vacumatic]] ]]
 
  
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L'azienda comunque, avendo saggiamente accumulato riserve nel periodo di boom, non smise mai di investire in ricerca, sperimentando nuovi materiali e nuovi sistemi di caricamento, fino ad arrivare alla realizzazione, nel 1933, della splendida [[Vacumatic]], con la clip a freccia disegnata dal ''Joseph Platt'', che da allora è diventata il simbolo dell'azienda, e dotata di un serbatoio trasparente grazie al particolarissimo [[Sistemi di caricamento#vacumatic|omomimo meccanismo di caricamento]], che riportò l'azienda ai vertici del mercato.
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[[Image:BlueDiamond.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The ''[[Blue diamond]]'' for lifetime warranty.]]
  
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Nel 1939 (o nel 1940), seguendo una tendenza inaugurata dalla [[Sheaffer]] con il suo ''[[White dot]]'' e seguita poi da altre marche, anche la [[Parker]] adottò un simbolo per indicare la garanzia a vita, ponendo in testa alla clip delle proprie penne il ''[[Blue diamond]]'', un piccolo rombo smaltato in blu. A differenza di quanto accaduto per le altre marche il simbolo fu introdotto in ritardo ed ebbe vita relativamente breve, andando a sparire dopo alcuni anni.
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Despite the commercial success and the good technical quality of its pens, the [[Parker]] continued to invest heavily in research and innovation, and in [[1941]] introduced a revolutionary model, the [[51]], between the first pens made ​​of plastic (''[[Lucite]]'') with a characteristic [[hooded nib]], which is necessary for the use of a new quick drying ink (the ''[[Superchrome Ink]]''), which tended to degrade the celluloid. The pen, although could not be considered particularly beautiful, and despite being built in ordinary plastic, was a tremendous success, and is probably the most sold fountain model of all time.
  
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[[Image:BlueDiamond.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Il ''[[Blue diamond]]'' indicante la garanzia a vita.]]
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The [[51]] had a number of changes in the following years, such as switching in [[1948]] to a new the filling system called ''[[aerometric]]'', the creation of different versions, including some luxury models in precious metals or with complex decorations for the metal cap. Some of these are extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors.
  
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Nonostante i grandi successi ottenuti e la buona qualità tecnica delle sue penne, la [[Parker]] continuò ad investire molto in ricerca ed innovazione, e nel 1941 introdusse un modello rivoluzionario, la [[51]], prima stilografica realizzata in resina plastica (chiamata ''[[Lucite]]''), con il caratteristico [[pennino coperto]], necessario per l'uso di un nuovo inchiostro ad essiccamento rapido (il ''Superchrome Ink'') che tendeva a degradare la celluloide. La penna, benché a posteriori non possa essere considerata particolarmente bella, e nonostante fosse costruita in ordinario materiale plastico, ebbe un successo straordinario, e costituisce il modello di stilografica più venduto di tutti i tempi.
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In the following years the [[Parker]] continued introducing of new models and new technologies as the unique capillary filler of the [[61]] model, or the realization of [[T1]] model in titanium. The company was active in the fountain pen market with luxury and economic models, and at the same time achieved great successes in the production of the new ballpoint pens.  
  
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La [[51]] conobbe negli anni successivi una serie di modifiche, come il passaggio nel 1948 al sistema di caricamento denominato [[Caricamento#aerometric|aerometric]], alla realizzazione di diverse versioni, comprese alcune di lusso in metalli preziosi, o con particolari lavorazioni del cappuccio metallico. Alcune di queste sono estremamente rare e molto ricercate dai collezionisti.
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The [[Parker]] is always remained active in the market, although since 1976 the company obtained more profit by the temporary employment agency Manpower than from the sale of pens. In 1993 the pen production division was acquired by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillette_Company Gillette Company], which already owned the Paper Mate. In 2000, Gillette gave the division the writing instruments [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newell_Rubbermaid Newell Rubbermaid], which already owned the [[Waterman]].
  
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Negli anni seguenti la [[Parker]] proseguì con l'introduzione di nuovi modelli e nuove tecnologie, con il particolarissimo caricamento a capillarità della [[61]], o la realizzazione della [[T1]] in titanio, rimanendo nel mercato della penna stilografica con modelli di lusso ed economici, ed al contempo ottenendo grandi successi anche nella produzione delle nuove penne a sfera.
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{{BrandChrono|Parker}}
  
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La [[Parker]] è rimasta sempre attiva sul mercato delle penne, anche se a partire dal 1976 l'azienda otteneva più profitti dell'agenzia di lavoro temporaneo Manpower che dalla vendita di penne. Nel 1993 l'azienda venne acquisita dalla [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillette_Company Gillette Company], che già possedeva la PaperMate. Nel 2000 la Gillette cedette la divisione strumenti di scrittura alla [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newell_Rubbermaid Newell Rubbermaid], che già possedeva la [[Waterman]].
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==External references==
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* [http://www.parkerpens.net] A website dedicated to [[Parker]], probably the best resource on the brand
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* [http://web.archive.org/web/20091120220856/http://barnyard.syr.edu/~vefatica/pens.html] Vincent Fatica page, with interesting informations
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* [http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Parker/Parker.htm] Parker chronology from Jim Mamoulides website
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Parker_Pen_Company] Wikipedia page on [[Parker]]
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* [http://www.vacumania.com/] Seller website, some info on [[Vacumatic]]
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20171219143146/http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/parker.html] ''Penspotters'' page on [[Parker]]
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140415063123/http://www.rickconner.net/penoply/park.0.html] ''Penoply'' page on [[Parker]]
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* [http://web.archive.org/web/20090309234438/http://www.sovereign-publications.com/parkerpen.htm] An article on the brand
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9hOhAXaFp4&feature=related] Historical film on '40s production
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080704183056/http://www.mkpens.co.uk/parker_duofold_profile.htm] A [[Duofold Aerometric]] profile
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* [http://stylosparker.over-blog.com/] Collector website, nice photos
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* [http://www.atquid.com/viewArticle.php?article_id=53&title=The_Parker_Pen_Company] An article on company history
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* [http://www.parkerpen.com] Official website, just advertising
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==Note==
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<references/>
  
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{{CronoMarche}}
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{{CategorizeBrand|U.S.A.}}
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| 1889 || Nascita della [[Parker]]
 
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| 1891 || La [[Parker]] diventa società di capitali con il nome di ''The Parker Pen Company''
 
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| 1894 || Ottenuto il brevetto per l'alimentatore ''[[Lucky Curve]]'' ({{Cite patent|US|512319}})
 
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|-
 
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| 1898 || Brevettato il cappuccio ''slip-on''
 
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| 1899 || Brevettata la [[Jointless Pen]]
 
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| 1900 || Introdotte le [[Lucky Curve]] con rivestimento ''gold filigree''
 
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| 1904 || Introdotto un primo caricamento a compressione di un sacchetto di gomma
 
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| 1905 || Viene brevettato l'alimentatore ''[[spear-head]]''
 
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| 1907 || Creati i modelli [[Parker Snake|Snake]] in argento ed oro
 
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| 1911 || Brevettato un alimentatore ''[[Lucky Curve]]'' perfezionato ({{Cite patent|US|990288}})
 
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| 1912 || Introdotto il modello [[Jack Knife]] (a cappuccio di sicurezza)
 
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| 1913 || Introdotto un anello d'oro in testa ai cappucci dei modelli da donna
 
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| 1913 || Introdotto il caricamento a [[pulsante di fondo]]
 
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| 1914 || Introdotti i modelli [[Parker Giant|Black Giant]] e [[Parker Giant|RedGiant]]
 
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| 1916 || Brevettato il fermaglio ''[[washer clip]]'' ({{Cite patent|US|1197224}})
 
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| 1917 || Prodotta per conto del dipartimento della difesa la [[Trench Pen]] per i soldati al fronte
 
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| 1920 || Prodotta la prima matita meccanica
 
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| 1921 || Introdotto il modello [[Duofold]]
 
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| 1922 || Aggiunti i modelli ''Lady'' e ''Junior'' alla linea [[Duofold]]
 
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| 1926 || Introdotti i modelli in celluloide (''Unbreakable'') della [[Duofold]]
 
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| 1927 || Introdotti i modelli [[Pastel]] in [[caseina]]
 
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| 1928 || Introdotto il modello ''Three-Fifty'', più comunemente noto come [[True Blue]]
 
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| 1930 || Introdotto il modello [[Duette]] ''[[Vest pocket]]''
 
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| 1929 || Introdotti i modelli ''[[Streamlined]]'' della [[Duofold]]
 
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| 1929 || Viene dismesso il modello [[True Blue]]
 
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| 1931 || Introdotto l'inchiostro ''Quink''
 
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| 1932 || Introdotta la serie [[Thrift Time]]
 
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| 1933 || Introdotto il modello [[Vacumatic]] e la clip a freccia
 
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| 1933 || Dismessa la serie [[Thrift Time]]
 
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| 1935 || Introdotta la linea [[Parkette]]
 
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| 1936 || Introdotto il modello [[Challenger]]
 
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| 1936 || Introdotto il modello [[Vacumatic Golden Web|Golden Web]]
 
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| 1937 || Introdotte le versioni ''Speedline'' della [[Vacumatic]]
 
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| 1937 || Introdotte le versioni ''Shadowave'' della [[Vacumatic]]
 
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| 1939 || Introdotto il modello [[Duofold Geometric]] (detto anche ''[[Toothbrush]]'')
 
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| 1939 || Dismesse le linee [[Parkette]] e [[Challenger]]
 
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| 1940 || Introdotto il ''Blue Diamond'' come indice di garanzia a vita (o 1939?)
 
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| 1940 || Introdotto il modello [[Laidtone Duofold]], (dette anche ''striped'')
 
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| 1941 || Introdotto il modello [[51]]
 
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| 1946 || Introdotto il caricamento ''[[Red band filler]]'' sulla [[51]]
 
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| 1947 || Introdotto il modello [[VS]], le [[51]] ''Demi'' e la nuova clip e dismesso il ''[[Red band filler]]''
 
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| 1948 || Introdotto il modello [[21]], il caricamento [[Caricamento#aerometric|aerometric]] sulla [[51]] e dismesse [[Vacumatic]] e [[Laidtone Duofold]]
 
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| 1950 || Introdotto il modello [[41]]
 
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| 1951 || Dismesso il modello [[41]] e la stampigliatura della data sulle [[51]] prodotte in USA
 
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| 1953 || Dismessa la stampigliatura della data sulle [[51]] prodotte fuori dagli USA
 
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| 1954 || Introdotta la penna a sfera ''Jotter'' e la stampigliatura ''Made in USA'' sul cappuccio della [[51]]
 
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| 1956 || Introdotto il modello [[61]] e dismesso il ''Superchrome Ink'' (e relativi riferimenti)
 
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| 1960 || Introdotto il modello [[45]]
 
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| 1962 || Introdotto il modello [[VP]]
 
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| 1963 || Introdotto il modello [[75]]
 
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| 1970 || Introdotto il modello [[T1]] in titanio
 
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|}
 
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{{LegendaModelli}}
 
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| [[Duofold]] || 1921- ||
 
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| [[51]] || ||
 
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|}
 
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==Riferimenti esterni==
 
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* http://www.parkerpens.org Un sito a tema [[Parker]] probabilmente la migliore risorsa sull'argomento
 
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* http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Parker/Parker.htm
 
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* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Parker_Pen_Company La Parker su Wikipedia
 
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* http://parkercollector.com/ Sito molto interessante, con parecchio materiale ed informazioni
 
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* http://www.vacumania.com/ Vacumania, sito commerciale con molte informazioni sul modello [[Vacumatic]]
 
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* http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/parker.html Parker pens, la pagina sulla [[Parker]] di ''Penspotters''
 
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* http://www.rickconner.net/penoply/park.0.html Parker pens, la pagina sulla [[Parker]] di ''Penoply''
 
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* http://www.sovereign-publications.com/parkerpen.htm
 
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* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9hOhAXaFp4&feature=related Un filmato storico sulla produzione degli anni '40
 
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* http://www.parkerpen.com Sito ufficiale della Parker, da evitare, non funziona correttamente con Firefox.
 
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* http://www.mkpens.co.uk/parker_duofold_profile.htm
 
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* http://stylosparker.over-blog.com/ Sito di un collezionista, belle foto
 
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* http://www.atquid.com/viewArticle.php?article_id=53&title=The_Parker_Pen_Company Articolo sulla storia della [[Parker]]
 

Versione attuale delle 10:37, 10 apr 2024

Parker Logo

Parker is one of the few American historical fountain pens brand remained continuously active to this day. The Parker Pen Company was founded by George Safford Parker in 1888 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Today the company is owned by Sanford, a division of Newell Rubbermaid that also owns Waterman.

Although the company always produced good quality fountain pens, Parker golden age goes from the '20s to '60s, when the company has distinguished itself for its great innovation capacity, obtaining always strong success. Thanks also to the creation of a vast network of branch offices (Canada, England, Denmark, France, Mexico, and Argentina), the company always maintained top rankings in worldwide sales of fountain pens, and was successful also in the ballpoint pen era. Together with Sheaffer, Waterman and Wahl-Eversharp is a recognized member of the Big Four.

Parker
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History

Parker early plant

Parker was founded in Janesville in Wisconsin in 1888 by George Safford Parker, which previously had operated as a reseller for the John Holland Pen Company. George Safford Parker, who worked as a teacher of telegraphy, supplemented its income with the trade in fountain pens. Having to repair the pens that he sold, it began to improve their functioning, and because the pens he changed worked better than the original and had success, he decided to found his own company.

Early Lucky Curve

He obtained his first patent (nº US-416944) in 1889, and a subsequent patent (nº US-512319) in 1894 for his special Lucky Curve feeder, which went back inside the pen with a special curved shape that is claimed to be able to call back the excess ink when the pen was not in use. In 1891 George Parker associated with William F. Palmer, an insurer and they incorporated The Parker Pen Company in Janesville.

In fact, the "Lucky Curve" was simply a good feeder, which remained in production until 1928, and was used as a trademark for a number of pens, but there are doubts that the curved form actually had the effect to avoid the accumulation of ink, because much repairers cutted it, because the curved part makes it difficult to reinsert it between the nib and section.

A rare Parker Snake

In the early years Parker began manufacturing good quality hard rubber pens. In this period it was famous for her silver overlay pens, and in particular for the Snake pen with a snake shaped overlay, that is sought after by collectors for its rarity, and for the Black Giant pen, characterized by a very large size. Another distinction point for Parker pens was the creation of button filler, introduced in 1913 as reaction to the creation of the lever filler, which was never been used in the company's flagship models, despite is diffusion between all the competitors of that time.

Duofold advertisement from '20s.

Parker continued to produce hard rubber pens with good results, focusing on the functionality of his pens and on the benefits of the button filler, but the real breakthrough came in 1921 with the launch of Duofold, which was a huge success, by getting the company at the top of sales. The creation of a large pen, made ​​of hard rubber of a bright red color, was a revolution in the fountain pen world until then dominated by the black color, and foreshadowed the introduction of the celluloid colors by several years.

The success of the Duofold, despite its price (10 dollars) was high for the time, continued for over a decade in which the models were revised several times, adjusting the production to the introduction of new materials such as celluloid or the new Streamlined style with tapered models. In 1923 was opened a plant in Canada, and was introduced a Lady Duofold model for women. In 1926 also the Parker began to move production from hard rubber to celluloid.

All color for Vest pocket Duofold.

In 1926 was introduced an economic model, the Parker DQ, named such as Duofold Quality and at the end ofhe same year the company introduced also the Pastels models in pastel colors, as an alternative to the Duofold ladies models, sold at a lower price. But with the coming of Great Depression, the company was faced with a critical period.

In 1929 the profits that were enormous suffered a steep fall, many producers failed and others had to sell off their pens at low prices. Parker, that taken years to establish its brand, decided not to devalue his pens, and kept prices high for the Duofold, but in order to compete in 1932 introduced a range of economic models, school-type, for which they did no advertising. These models did not have a name and are usually indicated by collectors as Thrift Time, or depression pen.

A Vacumatic advertisement of 1941.
The Vacumatic arrow clip

The company, the had wisely piled stock in the good period, continued to invest in research, testing new materials and new filling systems, up to the realization, in 1933, of the wonderful Vacumatic, with the arrow clip drawn from Joseph Platt (patent nº US-D088821, who has since then become the company symbol) with a transparent tank thanks to the new filling system with the same name. The new pen reported the company at the top of the market.

In 1939, following a trend initiated by Sheaffer with his White dot and followed by other brands, also Parker adopted a symbol to indicate the lifetime warranty, putting in the head of their pens clips the Blue diamond, a small diamond in blue enamel. Unlike what happened for other brands the symbol was introduced late and for a relatively short period, going to disappear after a few years.

The Blue diamond for lifetime warranty.

Despite the commercial success and the good technical quality of its pens, the Parker continued to invest heavily in research and innovation, and in 1941 introduced a revolutionary model, the 51, between the first pens made ​​of plastic (Lucite) with a characteristic hooded nib, which is necessary for the use of a new quick drying ink (the Superchrome Ink), which tended to degrade the celluloid. The pen, although could not be considered particularly beautiful, and despite being built in ordinary plastic, was a tremendous success, and is probably the most sold fountain model of all time.

The 51 had a number of changes in the following years, such as switching in 1948 to a new the filling system called aerometric, the creation of different versions, including some luxury models in precious metals or with complex decorations for the metal cap. Some of these are extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors.

In the following years the Parker continued introducing of new models and new technologies as the unique capillary filler of the 61 model, or the realization of T1 model in titanium. The company was active in the fountain pen market with luxury and economic models, and at the same time achieved great successes in the production of the new ballpoint pens.

The Parker is always remained active in the market, although since 1976 the company obtained more profit by the temporary employment agency Manpower than from the sale of pens. In 1993 the pen production division was acquired by Gillette Company, which already owned the Paper Mate. In 2000, Gillette gave the division the writing instruments Newell Rubbermaid, which already owned the Waterman.

Chronology

Year Event
1888 the company is founded by George S. Parker in Janesville, Wisconsin
1889 George S. Parker begin to make fountain pens
1891 George S. Parker begin a partnership with William F. Palmer
1892 the company is incorporated as The Parker Pen Company
1894 the company patents (nº US-512319) the "Lucky Curve" feeder
1898 the company patents the slip-on cap
1899 the company patents (nº US-622256 and nº US-635700) the Jointless Pen
1900 the company introduces the gold filigree Lucky Curve
1903 Christian Olsen sign an agreement with Parker for their pens distribution
1904 the company introduces a first filling system based on rubber sac squeezing
1905 the company patents (nº US-778997) the spear-head feeder
1906 the company introduces the Emblem Pen
1907 the company introduces the Parker Snake
1909 the company introduces the Red Giant
1909 the company patent the "Jack Knife" cap and introduces the Jack Knife Safety[1]
1910 the company starts local production of Parker pens
1911 the company patents (nº US-990288) an improved Lucky Curve feeder, named spear-head
1913 the company introduces a gold ring at the cap top for women's models
1913 the company introduces the button filler
1914 the company introduces the Black Giant
1916 the company produces the Trench Pen for the U. S. War Department, given to soldiers to write from the front line
1916 the company introduces the Ivorine
1916 the company patents (nº US-1197224) the washer clip
1917 the company retires the Red Giant
1918 Cross became producer for Parker mechanical pencils
1918 the company retires the Trench Pen
1920 the company start producing mechanical pencils
1921 the company introduces the Duofold
1921 the company retires the Black Giant
1922 the company introduces the smaller size models Duofold Jr. and Lady Duofold
1922 the company introduces the models Duofold Deluxe with the metal band at the cap edge
1925 the company introduces the Black-tipped Jade first celluloid models
1925 the company retires the Ivorine
1926 the company converts all production to celluloid, starting from Duofold
1926 the company introduces the Parker Pastels
1927 the company convert Duofold from raised to flush band
1928 the company introduces the True Blue
1928 the company introduces two rings on Duofold cap (three for the the De Luxe)
1928 Parker acquire Osmia for the european production
1929 the company retires the True Blue
1929 the company introduces the streamlined version of the Duofold
1930 the company introduces the vest pocket Duofold
1930 Parker retires from Osmia and the Osmia GmbH is founded
1930 the company introduces the Vest Pocket Duette model
1931 the company introduces the Burgundy Black Duofold
1931 the company introduces the Quink ink
1932 the company introduces the Parco
1932 the company introduces the Thrift Time
1932 the company introduces sample of the Golden Arrow, the Vacumatic forerunner
1933 the company introduces the Vacumatic
1933 the company retires the Thrift Time
1933 the company rename the Parco as Parkette
1934 the company restyles the Parkette introducing the De Luxe version
1934 the company introduces the Challenger
1935 the company introduces the Challenger De Luxe
1935 the company retires the Duofold that no longer appear in the catalogs[2]
1936 the company produces only for this year the Senior for Vacumatic
1936 the company introduces the Golden Web
1937 the company restyles the Challenger (and Challenger De Luxe)
1937 the company introduces the Speedline Vacumatic
1937 the company retires the Golden Web
1937 the company introduces the Royal Challenger
1938 the company introduces the Shadow Wave version of Vacumatic
1939 the company completed the Parker 51 development
1939 the company introduces the Blue Diamond life warranty
1939 the company introduces the Duofold Geometric
1940 the company introduces in South America and the Caribbean
1940 the company retires the Vacumatic Burgundy color
1940 the company introduces the Laidtone Duofold
1940 the company retires the Duofold Geometric
1940 the company retires the Parkette both normal and De Luxe version
1941 the company introduces and then retires the Parkette Zephyr
1941 the company retires the Challenger
1941 the company introduces the Parker 51 on the global market
1941 the company introduces the Vacumatic Maxima with round bottom
1942 the company retires the Shadow Wave Shadow Wave versions of Vacumatic
1942 the company introduces the mention of the Solv-X ingredient for Quink ink
1942 the company introduces the War time Vacumatic
1946 the company introduces the Duofold NS
1946 the company introduces the Red band filler on the Parker 51
1947 the company retires the Red band filler on the Parker 51
1947 the company introduces the Parker 51 Demi
1947 the company introduces the new 51 arrow clip
1947 the company introduces the Parker VS
1948 the company retires the Duofold NS
1948 the company retires the Vacumatic
1948 the company introduces the Parker 21
1948 the company introduces the Superchrome Ink
1948 the company turns the 51 to the aerometric filler
1948 the company retires the Laidtone Duofold
1949 the company introduces the Parker 51 Flighter version
1949 the company retires the Parker VS
1950 the company reintroduces the Parkette
1950 the company introduces the Parker 51 Special
1950 the company introduces the Parker 41
1951 the company retires the imprinting date code on USA produced Parker 51
1951 the company retires the Parker 41
1952 the company introduces the 21 Mark II
1953 the company retires stops imprinting date code on the Parker 51 produced outside the USA
1953 the company retires again the Parkette line
1954 the company introduces the Made in USA imprint on Parker 51 cap
1956 the company introduces the Parker 61
1956 the company removes references to the Superchrome Ink on the Parker 51 filling system
1956 the company retires the Superchrome Ink
1957 the Eversharp writing instrument division is sold to Parker
1960 the company introduces the Parker 45
1961 the company introduces the Parker 19
1962 the company introduces the 19 second version
1962 the company introduces the 45 "Arrow" version
1962 the company introduces the 61 second version
1962 the company introduces the Parker VP
1963 the company retires the Parker 19
1964 the company introduces the 45 "Flighter" version
1964 the company introduces the Parker 75
1965 the company use a section with plastic threads on the 75
1965 the company retires the Parker 21
1965 the company retires the Parker VP
1967 the company introduces the 45 "Lady" version
1967 the company introduces the 45 "DeLuxe" version
1967 the company introduces the 45 "Coronet" version
1968 the company remove the 0 central mark on the 75 ring
1970 the company introduces the Parker T1
1971 the company retires the Parker T1
1972 the company retires the Parker 51 (date uncertain[3])
1972 the company introduces dished ends on the 75
1979 the company introduces the 45 "Harlequin 80" version
1979 the company introduces the 45 "TX" version

External references

  • [1] A website dedicated to Parker, probably the best resource on the brand
  • [2] Vincent Fatica page, with interesting informations
  • [3] Parker chronology from Jim Mamoulides website
  • [4] Wikipedia page on Parker
  • [5] Seller website, some info on Vacumatic
  • [6] Penspotters page on Parker
  • [7] Penoply page on Parker
  • [8] An article on the brand
  • [9] Historical film on '40s production
  • [10] A Duofold Aerometric profile
  • [11] Collector website, nice photos
  • [12] An article on company history
  • [13] Official website, just advertising

Note

  1. ↑ according to what is said in this page.
  2. ↑ as reported by Richard Binder on this page who also reports a subsequent production, demonstrated by the presence of a model with a 1938 dating code.
  3. ↑ we use the one indicated as official by Richard Binder in this article.
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