Probus Club of Basingstoke enjoyed a talk about pens

Nigel Thorley spoke at the Probus Club of Basingstoke, describing how the Egyptians wrote on papyrus 3,000 years ago using shaped reeds dipped in ink.

The audience was told about the shift to quills and how, in 1801, blotting paper replaced the sand used over wet ink.

He also covered how in the mid-1850s, metal nibs made Birmingham a world centre of production.

He then spoke about how dip pens remained in schools into the 1950s, and revealed that steel nibs are now mostly used by artists and calligraphers.

Probus Nigel Thorley with President Stephen Thair (Image: Paul Flint Probus Club of Basingstoke)

Nigel explained how Bakelite in 1907 revolutionised fountain pen manufacturing, and how famous models like the Parker Duofold and Parker 51 were introduced, the latter becoming well known when General Eisenhower held up two Parker 51s after signing the documents ending the Second World War.

He also talked about the invention of the ballpoint pen by László Bíró, the orders placed by the Royal Air Force because fountain pens leaked at altitude, and its eventual mass popularity.

He closed by sharing how Parker continues to produce luxury writing instruments prized at auction.

For more information about the Probus Club of Basingstoke, visit their website www.probusbasingstoke.club or contact the secretary on 07814 937202 for an informal chat.