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[[Image:Parker-Plant.jpg|thumb|[[Parker]] early plant]]

[[Image:Parker-Plant.jpg|thumb|[[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 [[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.  

[[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.

[[Image:Parker-Overlay-Eyedropper-LuckyCurve-Open.jpg|thumb|left|Early ''[[Lucky Curve]]'']]

[[Image:Parker-Overlay-Eyedropper-LuckyCurve-Open.jpg|thumb|left|Early ''[[Lucky Curve]]'']]

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.

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.

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.

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.

[[Image:Parker-Snake-Capped.jpg|thumb|A rare [[Parker Snake]] ]]

[[Image:Parker-Snake-Capped.jpg|thumb|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 [[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.

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 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.

[[Image:1922-11-Parker-Duofold-RHR.jpg|thumb|left|[[Duofold]] advertisement from '20s.]]

[[Image:1922-11-Parker-Duofold-RHR.jpg|thumb|left|[[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.  

[[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 [[Duofold|Lady Duofold]] model for women. In 1926 also the [[Parker]] began to move production from hard rubber to celluloid.

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.

[[Image:Parker-Duofold-VestsPocket-Serie.jpg|thumb|All color for ''[[Vest pocket]]''  [[Duofold]].]]

[[Image:Parker-Duofold-VestsPocket-Serie.jpg|thumb|All color for ''[[Vest pocket]]''  [[Duofold]].]]

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.  

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.

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]]''.

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]]''.

[[Image:1941-09-Parker-Vacumatic-Major.jpg|thumb|A [[Vacumatic]] advertisement of 1941.]]

[[Image:1941-09-Parker-Vacumatic-Major.jpg|thumb|A [[Vacumatic]] advertisement of 1941.]]

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.

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.

In 1939 (or 1940), 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, puttin 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.

In 1939 (or 1940), 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, puttin 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.

[[Image:BlueDiamond.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The ''[[Blue diamond]]'' for lifetime warranty.]]

[[Image:BlueDiamond.jpg|thumb|left|150px|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.

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.

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.  

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]] remained active in the pens 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]].

The [[Parker]] remained active in the pens 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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==Riferimenti esterni==

==Riferimenti esterni==