IN SHORT Parker Pen Company Type Private (subsidiary of Newell Rubbermaid) Industry Writing instruments Founded 1888 Founders George Safford Parker Headquarters Newhaven, East Sussex, England Area served Worldwide Key people George Safford Parker, founder, Kenneth Parker Products Fountain pens, Ballpoint pens Parent Newell Rubbermaid Website

INTRODUCTION The Parker Pen Company is a manufacturer of pens, founded in 1888 by George Safford Parker in Janesville, Wisconsin, United States. In 2011, the Parker factory at Newhaven, East Sussex, England (United Kingdom) was closed, and its production transferred to Saint- Herblain (France).

FOUNDER

HISTORY George Safford Parker, the founder, had previously been a sales agent for the John Holland Gold Pen Company. He received his first fountain pen related patent in In 1894 Parker received a patent on his "Lucky Curve" feed, which was claimed to draw excess ink back into the pen body when the pen was not in use. The Lucky Curve feed was used in various forms until 1928.

IMPROVEMENTS From the 1920s to the 1960s, before the development of the ballpoint pen, Parker was either number one or number two in worldwide writing instrument sales. In 1931 Parker created Quink (quick drying ink), which eliminated the need for blotting. In 1941 the company developed the most widely used model of fountain pen in history (over $400 million worth of sales in its 30 year history), the Parker 51. Manufacturing facilities were set up over the years in Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Mexico, USA, Pakistan, India, Germany (Osmia-Parker), Brazil and Argentina.

PRODUCTS PRODUCED The following is a list with products offered by the Parker Pen Company as of 2012: TypeModel 5TH TechnologyI.M., Ingenuity, Sonnet, Urban Fountain pensDuofold, Premier, Sonnet, Facet, Esprit, Urban, I.M., Vector, Jotter Ballpoint pensFacet, Executive, Esprit, Frontier, Urban, I.M., Vector, Jotter Inks and refillsQuink, 5TH Mode

KEY PRODUCTS Jointless (1899), Jack Knife Safety (1909), Duofold (1921), Vacumatic (1932), "51" (1941), The Jotter (1954), 61 (1956), 45 (1964), 75 (1964), Classic (1967), 25 (1975), Arrow (1982), Vector (1986), Duofold International (1987), 95 (1988) Sonnet (1993), and Parker 100 (2004)

TYPES OF PENS