In which countries are Parker pens produced? Parker - the pen that conquered the world - the history of the brand

More than a hundred years have passed since George Safford Parker founded his company, which during this time has become a recognized world leader in the production of premium quality writing instruments.

Parker pens Many famous writers and outstanding figures have used and are currently using it. For example, Giacomo Puccini wrote his famous opera La Bohème with a Parker pen, and Arthur Conan Doyle wrote a series of stories about Sherlock Holmes.

With the help of Parker pens, the destinies of the world were decided - they signed many historical documents on the end of wars, peace and arms reduction, and world leaders repeatedly used pens of this brand at economic summits. So on May 7, 1945, the final German surrender in World War II was signed with two Parker fountain pens belonging to General Dwight D. Eisenhower. And many years later, in 1991, US President D. Bush and USSR Secretary General M.S. used Parker pens. Gorbachev to sign the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. Parker writing instruments are used by members of royal families and leaders of almost all countries of the world.

Continuing a tradition of excellence dating back to the late 19th century, Parker has only increased its legacy of pride in its brand over time. Parker pens are created for those who demand reliability in their work, strive to obtain high-quality and durable products, who appreciate attractive design and know how to save money.

History of the creation and development of Parker pens

George Safford Parker began working at age 17 at the Valentine Telegraph School in Janesville, Wisconsin. In order to get a raise on his low salary, George Parker became an "agent" selling fountain pens to The John Holland Fountain Pen Company.

Fountain pens of that time had many disadvantages, including:

ink bleeds through when the pen is held upright in a pocket;
the pens were filled using the “handicraft method” using a pipette;
were uniform in design;

Therefore, George Parker often had to repair fountain pens that were returned by customers. And then he decided to create a more perfect pen. Armed with his knowledge of mechanics and the philosophy of “Make something better and people will buy it,” a philosophy he carried throughout his life, he designed and built his own fountain pen. In 1889, he patented his own model of Parker pens.

The official date of registration of the Parker Pen Company is March 8, 1892, although by that time George Parker had already been producing fountain pens for four years. And in 1903, the first European distributor appeared in Scandinavia.

George Parker understood perfectly what consumers needed and constantly worked to improve both technical and external characteristics.

So, two years after its founding, he patented the Lucky Curve feeder, which virtually eliminated ink leakage outward.

In 1905, Parker patented the Button Filling System, which made refilling a fountain pen with ink much easier.

Another equally important invention of George Parker was the Safety Cap. In fact, it consisted of two caps at the same time. The first is an external one, which is screwed onto the body of the handle. The second is the internal one, which hermetically sealed the cavity around the feather due to the tight fit of the mouth to the shoulder of the body.

In 1916, the clip was invented and became a recognizable signature element of Parker models.

In 1927, Parker expanded the range of colors for pen bodies and improved consumer qualities by changing the material from which the body was made. Instead of the previously used ebonite, George Parker began to use a modified impact-resistant celluloid in production, which received the commercial name Permanite.

It is not surprising that the Parker Pen Company soon introduced its own ink, Quink, which happened in 1931. The ink was marketed as quick-drying and easy to wash off clothes and hands.

The revolutionary Parker fountain pen could even be used on airplanes during the pressure changes during takeoff and landing.

Later, fountain pens were replaced by ballpoint pens. And in this market, Parker occupies a leading position. In 1954, Parker released a series of pens equipped with a tungsten ball, which significantly improved the consumer properties of the pen.

In 1986, the headquarters of Parker Pen Company was transferred from the USA to England, to Newhaven. The English division of Parker used to be located there, and even earlier the Valentine Pen Company, which Parker absorbed back in 1953.

Parker holds patents on two unique finishing materials that make Parker pens so stylish: 14K Dimonite G - a durable champagne gold-plated finish made from solid gold and titanium nitride; and Dimonite Z finish, a shimmering gunmetal finish.

Parker pens are currently

Parker pens are currently produced in four different factories in England, France, India and China. In addition, there are separate specialized production of ink and refills. In China, pens from cheaper collections are produced - IM Metal, Urban. Collections IM Premium, Urban Premium, Vector, Jotter - UK or China. More expensive collections Sonnet, Duofold, Premier are produced in France or Great Britain.

But wherever Parker writing instruments are made, Parker uses only the finest materials and high-tech manufacturing processes to ensure that its pens perform at their best. Today, Parker pens are reliable products that you can rely on in any situation. Using Parker pens for writing, you will get real pleasure from your work, because Parker pens fit comfortably in your hand and last for ages. Parker's stylish pens are beautifully designed pens that look good and are fun to use.

High-quality Parker pens are made in a classic style, but at the same time they are modern, beautiful and timeless professional tools for those who care about handwriting. Stylish Parker pens are pens with which you will feel comfortable in the world of professionals; they can also become a wonderful gift both to others and to yourself.

Parker produces four types of writing instruments: fountain pens, ballpoint pens, rollerballs and pencils. For everyday use, consumers prefer ballpoint pens. However, other types of pens are also popular, so preference for ballpoint pens is more a matter of habit than a conscious choice.

Parker pen collections

Parker Classic - a bright, elegant design that successfully combines the best classical traditions and the desire for the new, stainless steel case, gold and chrome finish; The arrow-shaped clip adds dynamism to the appearance of the river.

Parker Dimonite - bright futuristic style, low cost. Steel body, cast acrylic parts.

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The official date of registration of the Parker Pen Company is considered to be March 8, 1892, although by that time George Parker had already been producing fountain pens for four years and even managed to patent his own model in 1889.

Until 1889, George Parker served as a sales agent for the John Holland Gold Pen Company. Corporate legend has it that he often had to repair fountain pens that were returned by customers, which led him to think about creating "the ultimate fountain pen"[ ] .

In 1894, Parker patented the Lucky Curve feeder, which virtually eliminated a very pressing problem of the time - the leakage of ink remaining in the feeder channels when the pen was held upright in a pocket. Thanks to this technical solution, sales of Parker pens increased manifold.

In 1905, Parker patented the Button Filling System. This has significantly improved the ease of use of the fountain pen. Until this point, ink was poured into the pen using a pipette.

Another important invention of Parker was the highly reliable Safety Cap, which essentially consisted of two caps - an external one, which was screwed onto the body of the pen, and an internal one, which hermetically sealed the cavity around the pen due to the tight fit of the mouth to the shoulder of the body.

Invented in 1916, the clip became the hallmark of Parker models for many years, and is still used today.

In 1921, the Parker Pen Company launched its invention, the Parker Duofold (or as it was later nicknamed, BIG RED). It was a striking pen with a bright orange durable barrel that symbolized everything the Roaring Twenties stood for. She was big, brash and quite dapper. Not only was it the best-looking pen on the market, but at $7, it was much more expensive than the average pen on the market at the time. But this price did not scare buyers, and as a result, the Parker Duofold pen turned out to be one of the most popular pens of the 20s, and the concept of “BIG RED” became almost synonymous with fountain pens of that generation. The Parker Pen Company was so confident in their products that they gave the Parker Duofold a 25-year warranty. Parker Duofold writing instruments are still produced today.

In 1927, Parker pen bodies began to be produced from a modified impact-resistant celluloid, which was commercially named Permanite. This material has significantly improved the consumer properties of handles. It was not only stronger than the previously used ebonite, it made it possible to significantly expand the range of colors for pen bodies.

In 1931, the Parker Pen Company introduced its own ink, "Quink". The ink was marketed as quick-drying and easy to wash off clothes and hands. Later, an additive was added to Quink ink, which supposedly protected the pen parts from ink corrosion. The effectiveness of this additive has not been proven; some believe that it was nothing more than a marketing ploy.

In 1933, the Parker Vacumatic model was released. It was equipped with a refueling system that was revolutionary for that time. This model had three generations and was produced until 1948.

In 1941, Parker 51 was released. Probably the most recognizable Parker pen of the era, it became a model for imitation and outright counterfeiting. It was with the Parker 51 pen that belonged to Dwight Eisenhower that the German surrender was signed in 1945, and with the same pen that General McCarthur signed the surrender of Japan. The body of these pens was made of lucite (polymethyl methacrylate). The same pen was the first to use Aero-metric filler, which allows the pen to be used on airplanes even with pressure changes during takeoff and landing. Parker 51 was produced until 1972.

In 1954, Parker gained a leading position in the growing ballpoint pen market with the Jotter model, equipped with a tungsten ball, which significantly improved the consumer properties of the pen.

In 1960, the Parker 45 model was released, which to this day holds the record as the best-selling fountain pen in the world. During the first 20 years of production of this model, more than 75 million copies were sold. In 1964, the Parker 75 pen was released, the prototype of which was the VP model. This model will go down in history as the most commercially successful. It was she who brought the largest profit to Parker during production. In the first 5 years, 11 million copies were sold, which brought the company $111 million. This pen uses a nib block with an adjustable nib plane angle.

Martini formula

In the early 1970s, Parker ran an advertising campaign that showed a hand using a Parker pen to write a “mathematical” formula on a piece of paper:

(3.5 G + V 2) 4 (H 2 O) 3 + 3 (360 ∘) = M (\displaystyle (\frac (\left(3.5G+\displaystyle (\frac (V)(2))\right)) (4\left(\mathrm (H) _(2)\mathrm (O) \right)^(3)))+3\left(360^(\circ )\right)=M)

As a result, the company received numerous requests from chemists, mathematicians and physicists asking them to explain the meaning of the formula, which they were unable to understand. In fact, the "formula" was a humorous representation of the Martini recipe: 3 , 5 (\displaystyle 3(,)5) parts gin and half part vermouth with four ice cubes (water, H 2 O (\displaystyle \mathrm (H_(2)O) ), cubed - ice), shaken in three movements (3 × 360 ∘) (\displaystyle \left(3\times (360)^(\circ )\right)).

Parker and settlement agreements

Important historical documents were signed with Parker pen:

Final surrender of Japan [ ]
Surrender of Germany in World War II [ ]
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between Gorbachev and Reagan in 1987 [ ]
Treaty to End the Vietnam War [ ]

Parker production date code system

In mid-1934, Parker pens began to be marked with their production date. The first production codes found on Vacumatics consist of two digits, with the first indicating the quarter of the calendar year and the second indicating the year of production. Following the logic of the markings of those years, it is necessary to take this nuance into account. For example, a "45" marking means the nib was produced in the fourth quarter of 1935, not 1945.

In the second quarter of 1938, the code system changed. To save production time, the point system was also adopted. The number of dots decreased by one with each quarter, starting from three, that is, the first quarter corresponds to three dots, and the fourth - zero (no dots). Since these marking systems existed simultaneously, examples with imprint 28 or ".8." were issued in the second quarter of 1938. Additionally, since the "two digit" coding system had been in use for over a decade, the pen marked "38" may have been produced in the third quarter of 1938 or 1948.

In 1950, a new system for coding the date was introduced, where two digits indicated only the year of production; the quarter was not subject to marking. Therefore, the code "50" means that the pen was manufactured in 1950. This system was used in the United States until 1955, and in Canada for several years longer.

Experts say that Parker began marking some of his pens back in 1970. So far, the earliest production date code for a 1979 pen is NL, and all of these pens were made in the USA. But no evidence of this has yet been found.

In 1980, Parker officially announced a change in production date marking codes. The code now consisted of two components - the first letter was taken from the slogan “QUALITY PEN”. Each letter corresponded to the year of production. From 1980 to 1987, after the first letter, a second was placed, meaning the quarter: E - first, C - second, L - third, I - fourth. In 1987, the index of the second part of the code was replaced by Roman numerals, and became in reverse order (descending). In 2000, the index again underwent minor changes, now the quarter and year codes were swapped and separated by a dot.

Notes

Links

Parker Pen Company - Official website of Parker Pen Company (English)

Who doesn’t know such a simple writing instrument as a Parker pen, which many people want to own? The English-made brand name is well-known among young people and adults. But few people know what the path was to creating a gift pen.

Parker Pen Company not only appeared, but also took a strong position along with the world's largest manufacturers of writing instruments. The Big Four also included Waterman, Sheaffer and Conklin (also known as Wahl-Eversharp). Leading companies around the world still use the ideas that were created at Parker.

The most striking events of the late 19th century and technical breakthroughs are reflected in the history of the brand. Such a standard of quality as fountain pens and other fountain pens appeared through different development paths:

Teacher George Parker decided to improve his financial situation. He made extra money by selling pens. It was the 80s of the 19th century. Colleagues and even students were able to sell fountain pens from the John Holland Gold Pen Company. They were not of good quality. They often broke down. Parker at the same time took up repairing the products he sold. All this combined into a very definite desire to create my own model of a fountain pen.
1891 2 years earlier, the former teacher’s first patent appeared. George Parker took Palmer as his partner. He was an insurance specialist. Together they formed the Parker Pen Company. But before that, fountain pen production had been going on for 3 years in Janesville (Wisconsin). The company was officially registered on 03/08/1892.
Business was going well thanks to new ideas being implemented. The year 1894 was marked by the appearance of a patent for the Lucky Curve fountain pen. She was special because she could no longer get ink on her clothes. The main problem with the use of handles at that time was resolved by creating a unique feeder. Sales began to grow rapidly.
1896 Puccini's opera La bohème was written with a Parker pen. From now on, many works will be created using a non-standard writing instrument. Creativity stimulates the emergence of new creative ideas. One way or another, all this was reflected in the sales level of gift fountain pens. When they became gifts is not historically attested. But everything of high quality sooner or later becomes a gift option.
1899 A jointless handle appeared. The JOINTLESS PEN had no threads or leaking joints. Important parts were included in the sleeve, eliminating breakage and leakage. Judge Day himself signed this model of Parker pen in the Peace Treaty.
1903 The Best Pen has appeared. THE BETTER PEN was a long time in the making and was the impetus for George Parker's world tour. At the same time, he began expanding the company and opened the first branch abroad in Scandinavia.
1905 Fountain pens of this brand now have a refilling system using a button. The Button Filling System innovation made it possible to refill pens without getting your own hands dirty. There was no longer a need to use an eyedropper to fill a writing stationery item. A few years later, Safety Cap appeared. The system involved the use of two sealed caps - on the body and inside the pen.
1916 The famous, now recognizable by everyone, clip in the form of an arrow appeared on the Parker fountain pen.

There were many more discoveries. But the main ones were the production in 1927 of celluloid or permanite (which is the same thing) bodies for Parker pens, as well as the creation in 1931 of Parker’s own ink, Qink. The latter are distinguished by the fact that they dry instantly when writing, and are also easily washed off clothes and hands.

Talent, diligence, and the desire to make something better than what exists helped Parker turn a dream into a goal, and then into a huge company with a worldwide reputation and recognition of product quality. In MyPenShop you can create a unique gift pen based on the famous Parker, laser-etching a congratulatory inscription or a wise saying on it.

Have you heard the expression - time-tested quality? Many brands strive to attach these words to their branded products, but not all have a basis for this.

From a famous brand a special history dating back to 1892. Parker represents an entire era of writing instruments. In business circles, Parker pens with their original design are a symbol of wealth and prestige. Not a single famous politician, writer or diplomat can do without this stylish accessory, which speaks of the respectability of the owner.

Brand Parker

About company

Parker Company was founded by George Safford Parker in the American city of Janesville.

Official registration date Parker Pen Company is considered to be March 8, 1892, although by that time George Parker had already been producing fountain pens for four years and even managed to patent his own model in 1889.

In 1921 the company Parker Pen Company » launched its biggest and most striking achievement on the market - Parker Duofold (or as it was later nicknamed - BIG RED). It was a striking pen with a bright orange durable barrel that symbolized everything the Roaring Twenties stood for. She was big, brash and quite dapper. Not only was it the best-looking pen on the market, but at $7, it was much more expensive than the average pen on the market at the time. But this price did not frighten buyers, and as a result Parker Duofold pen turned out to be one of the most popular pens of the 20s, and the concept of “BIG RED” became almost synonymous with fountain pens of that generation.

In 1927, Parker pen bodies began to be made from a modified impact-resistant celluloid, which was commercially named Permanite. This material has significantly improved the consumer properties of handles. It was not only stronger than the previously used ebonite, it made it possible to significantly expand the range of colors for pen bodies.

In 1933, the model “ Parker Vacumatic " It was equipped with a refueling system that was revolutionary for that time. This model had three generations and was produced until 1948.

In 1954, Parker gained a leading position in the growing ballpoint pen market with the Jotter model, equipped with a tungsten ball, which significantly improved the consumer properties of the pen.

In 1986 the headquarters Parker Pen Company transferred from the USA to England, to Newhaven ( Newhaven). The English division of Parker used to be located there, and even earlier the Valentine Pen Company, which Parker absorbed back in 1953.

Currently Parker brand American owned Newell Rubbermaid Company, Parker products (pens and accessories) are manufactured in France.

Modern Parker pen has largely retained its unique style and design, despite its more than hundred-year history of existence. Only ink supply technologies have changed, fountain pens have been replaced by ballpoint pens, the materials of pen bodies are more durable and wear-resistant, but the old fountain models are still relevant.

It is known that Parker pens are high-quality, stylish, beautiful, and status-bearing. The Parker name is well-known even among those who have never held a single brand product in their hands. Unfortunately, such popularity also has a downside: products from a well-known manufacturer are often counterfeited, profiting from the success of others. Many well-known companies face this: Chinese crafts are everywhere passed off as real branded ones. Zippo lighters , they are trying to sell poorly made pocket knives with a crooked logo as original Swiss Victorinox folding knives . Buyers have to be very careful not to overpay for a fake. And if you are going to, you too may find yourself a victim of unscrupulous sellers.

The original Parker Sonnet and the fake, but this article will not talk about a specific model, but about Parker pens in general. All of them, despite their design features, have common features that scammers will never be able to replicate. So, what should you pay close attention to when purchasing?

Price. Don't be fooled by low prices. No owner in his right mind and sober memory will sell a product below market value. Explanations like “need to sell urgently” indicate that the item is either stolen, faulty, or simply a fake.

Package. If you buy the product not from hand, but from an official store, make sure that the pen is packaged in a branded box and bag. Blisters, cardboard boxes without a logo and other packaging options indicate that this is a fake.

Instructions and warranty. The packaging along with the product must contain an instruction manual, and along with it a warranty card. Everything comes with a two-year manufacturer's warranty. It is usually placed at the bottom of the box. The text must be in several languages, including Russian.

Manufacturer country. Products manufactured under the Parker brand are manufactured and assembled in France, Great Britain and China (depending on the model). A note indicating in which country the pen you purchased was assembled should be on the website in the product description and in the documents included in the box. If the information is not indicated anywhere, and the seller answers a direct question that Parker has just recently opened production somewhere in India, and not everyone knows about it yet, feel free to refuse the purchase.

Logo. The brand logo should be not only on the product itself, but also on the packaging, instructions and warranty card. It must be clear, even, without traces of smudged paint. For a fountain pen, the logo is engraved on the nib itself.

Pen body. Often, a fake can be recognized simply by its appearance. If the varnish is applied unevenly to the body, there are abrasions, bumps or scratches, the product is not original. Check the balance of the handle; a real Parker fits easily and comfortably in your hand, although if you’re not used to it it may seem a little heavy.

Cap. The removable cap of the product should be removed and put on with a slight click, with little effort, hold securely and not fall off.

Clamp Parker's signature clamp always has an arrow shape. It, just like the cap, should be held firmly and pressed out with little effort, while easily returning to its original position.

What else is worth checking?

For fountain pens, you also need to check the nib. It can be made of gold or stainless steel (the material must be indicated in the description). There is always a hallmark on the gold nib. The dimensions of the pen are indicated in the description on the website and the documentation attached to the pen (marking F, M, etc.).

If you buy, pay attention to the rotation or pressing mechanism, as well as the spring. The mechanism should work smoothly, with light effort, the spring should not fall out or stretch.

Be especially careful when purchasing products from the budget price category - these are the ones that are most often counterfeited by scammers. They usually reason like this: well, if a person spends 500-1000 rubles on a pen, he will understand that it is a crude fake, but because of such an amount he is unlikely to get on his nerves and try to restore justice. But when we are talking about hundreds and thousands of dollars, an offended buyer will no longer give up so easily. Therefore, it is even safer to buy expensive pens.

To avoid encountering a counterfeit, use the services of a trusted store that always cares about its reputation and meets customers halfway. A self-respecting seller is always ready to provide detailed information about each product, answer your questions and help if any difficulties arise.

If you are going for a Parker ball model, remember that you must ask the seller for a cash receipt or sales receipt. This is a document that confirms the purchase. If you have any questions or complaints, you can always present it along with the product and demand a refund or replacement of the defective product.

In our store you will find a wide range of high-quality Parker products with detailed descriptions, original packaging and a manufacturer’s warranty. Choose whatever you like, and we will be happy to help you place your order and deliver the goods to your address.