When
he started making pens, George Parker had a simple yet ambitious aim
- to make a better pen. And that single, simple vision has powered the
Parker Pen Company ever since. In 1888, the Parker Pen Company was founded.
In the following year, the first Parker Pen was produced and patented.
However, that was only the beginning. Parker's dream of creating better
pens led to the major innovation in 1894: the 'Lucky Curve'. This system
dramatically reduced the leakage that was a hazard of early fountain
pens. 1921
was the year in which Parker's famous icon was born - the Parker Duofold.
Although it was considerably larger and more expensive than pens of
the time, the Duofold fortunately was an instant success—something
to note at a time when America was going through economic depression.
In the following year the renowned creator of Sherlock Holmes,
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, began exclusively using a Duofold to pen his
stories; quite a testimony in action, by the prolific scrivener, who
could compose his magic virtually anywhere, once using the back of a
fellow party attendee to bear on, in dashing off a few lines that had
come to him on the spot.
During the Great Depression, many smaller pen companies disappeared
as others fell into bankruptcy. Many pen companies decided the next
best move was to sell their pens at huge discounts, flooding the markets
with cheap pens. Parker decided not to compromise and continued to
sell their pens at the price they had originally set. Many of their
older customers appreciated this move as Parker believed their pens
had to hold an image—this image which reflected Parker's vision
and dreams.
In 1939, the first Parker 51 was produced and went on to
be a global best-seller, topping the other three American pen companies
of that time which survived the 
Great
Depression: Sheaffer, Waterman, and Eversharp. The Parker 51 was soon
described as "The Most Perfect Pen Ever Produced." In 1954, Parker's
first ball pen, The Jotter, was produced. In 1964, the opulent
Parker 75 brought a new level of craftsmanship to pens of
the era, combining the latest technologies with traditional skills.
In celebration of its 100 years of history, 1987 marked the time when
Parker returned to its famous icon, the Duofold, by creating the Duofold
Centennial Edition. As technology advanced, so did Parker's pens.
1993 saw the introduction of the Sonnet
Collection, which has since become as much a signature of
Parker as the Duofold before it. In 2002, Parker Special Edition
51 combined the classic futuristic styling of the '51' with the
very latest pen technology. In 2004, Parker
100 became the face of Parker for the 21st century, with
a combination of avant-garde looks and an affectionate reinterpretation
of the unique styling of its illustrious predecessor, the '51.
Also in 2004, Parker experienced a phenomenal blow: the company that
had for so long provided the materials for the Duofold
Pearl & Black, went out of business. It would be three
years before the Pearl
& Black made its come-back. It was announced that "by
popular demand" the pen that, more than any other, represented
the legacy of artistic and cultural refinement, was back; and to celebrate
the return of its best, Parker released the fountain pen in Centennial
and International
sizes. The Art Deco colour and design that recalls the era of
classic black and white movies, where Bogie and Bacall, James Cagney,
Joan Fontaine, and more, would ever live in romance and intrigue,
and pen lovers the world over would once again be able to draw upon
that spirit of glamour and adventure, as they took up pen and paper.
In yet another affirmation of its commitment to heritage and
technical superiority, Parker reintroduced a 21st century edition
of its original ballpoint, the Jotter. Launched in 1954,
the best-selling Jotter wasParker's first-ever ballpen. To mark its
50th Anniversary, Parker issued the Jotter
Special Edition, a universal, ageless writing instrument
that helped to kick off the subsequent 50 years with both prestige
and style. The Jotter Jubilee features two types of 50s influenced
patterns, elegant matte, and shiny finishes. With its dedicated passion
for perfection, and driven by bold innovation, Parker's philosophy
to always put customers and craftsmanship first continue to enlighten
their goals for future writing instruments. Even today, every Parker
pen is carefully checked at every stage of its manufacture—a
clear sign of their commitment to quality and their continuing belief
in the vision George Parker held all those years ago.
