History of the Parker Pen Company
Author: Neil Thompson

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 gifts
and accessories. He has a particular interest in pens,
wallets, and cufflinks and brands such as Ted Baker,
Mulberry and Parker. For more information click here:
http://www.kjbeckett.com/acatalog/pens.html