When Sheaffer introduced its "working togs" utility pencils in the late 1930s, they quickly became a very successful seller for the company. The robust design and exposed eraser made them a perfect no-fuss writing instrument, and the company sold millions of them over the course of decades. Sheaffer also came up with a thinner lead for use in these pencils, called "Fineline" lead, and eventually created the "Fineline Division" dedicated to producing lower-cost writing instruments, including the "pearlie" pencils, up into the 1970s.
Sheaffer's success did not go unnoticed by Parker, so Parker decided to try to get into the game. Parker's response was the "Writefine," and the earliest examples strongly resemble the "wartime" or "striped" duofolds of the early 1940s . . .
NOTE: This article is now included in the print version of
The Leadhead's Pencil Blog, available anywhere you buy books, or also from The Legendary Lead Company.
To order, here's the link:
Volume 1 at Legendary Lead Company
No comments:
Post a Comment