Waterman Fountain Pens - History

History of the Waterman Fountain Pen: Since the late 19th century, Waterman was one of the "big four" U.S. pen makers. However at the end of the 1950s, Waterman failed in the the raise for new fountain pen technology and design and as a result disappeared as a U.S brand.

Corporate myths sees L.E. Waterman as the founder of the Fountain Pen, however there is no definite prove. Moreover, Waterman purchased many parts of the firm's early pens including the gold points from outside supplier. The main invention of L.E. Waterman is the three-channel feed, which fit snugly under the point. In order to balance minute hydrodynamic forces and allow for a smooth exchange of air and ink, waterman develops three-channel feed which was his real triumph. Later, he invents "spoon feed" that helps in solving problem of frequently blotting of ink. At past, waterman's fountain pen were usually hard rubber but company enlarged the normal solid blacks and reds with mottled or wood grained mixtures of the two. Later, interested buyers could have their pens coated with filigrees and precious metal output.

Waterman's earliest pens were eyedropper fillers, similar to the typical dip pen of the period. These were very long and slender with tapered slip caps. Waterman introduced the safety pen in 1907, which was an improved design. The point of the pen can be retracted into the barrel while not being used and tightly-fitting cap is provided to seal it. Until 1940s, many overseas pen makers copied waterman safety and kept it in their catalogs.

At early 1910s, Waterman began to stare for a reliable self-filing system after rumbling on by competitors like Sheaffer and Conklin. They tried several systems, including the coin filler, but eventually settled on the lever filler.

During 1920s, Waterman was slow to respond to the challenges of it's competitors due to the switch to plastic as the main production material of the fountain pen. Therefore, during 1930s, Waterman's Fountain Pens wee slowly but surely losing ground. One of the most avidly-sought and rarest of mid century U.S fountain pens, Patrivan, was offered by Waterman during this period. The revolutionary Hundred-Year models from the 1930s and 40s were very expensive and rare. During 1950s, new cartridge-filler designs kept the company moving. Forming the basis of French firm's American production facilities, inactive Connecticut plant was finally sold to BIV in 1959. Immediately, all U.S. production of Waterman pens was banned. Overtaken by the toiletries giant Gillette and later by the Sanford conglomerate, Waterman came back under American ownership during the 1990s. Today, Waterman gives no signs of slowing down after well establishing his fine-pen market especially in Europe.