The Metal Cap Fad Begins

Putting together a top ten list of most influential pen and pencil designs in history is an easy task, because there have been a few truly standout instances where one writing instrument manufacturer puts a new idea out there and within a few short years everyone is copying it trying to catch up. The Sheaffer Balance is an excellent example, for making tapered designs fashionable. LeBouf’s pioneering use of celluloid had everyone racing to come out with pens that weren’t made of hard rubber.

And the Parker 51 is widely regarded as the writing instrument that overnight had everyone else trying to copy the solid color lower barrel, metal upper barrel look. But here’s a little secret: the Parker 51 followed in the footsteps of something else. Here’s the Parker "Duo-tone."

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