Birthday Pens: a Timeline Bookmark this page
 

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When were you born? And what pen, if you wanted one, would you use to symbolize your birth year?

Sometimes, it’s really easy to nail a particular pen to a year. Sometimes, it’s not. This article, which was inspired by a thread on Pentrace: The site for fountain pens that write, offers some ideas for finding a pen to remember when you were born. This information is also useful for general reference, serving as a limited timeline for the evolution of the fountain pen from 1921 to the present. (Revised July 7, 2008)

The Easy Ones: Parker’s Date-Coded Pens

Parker has made it very easy to date some of their pens. From the 1932/1933 introduction of the Vacumatic until the 1950s, and again beginning in 1980, Parker has imprinted date codes on its pens.

1932 to c. 1955: At the right end of the barrel imprint, look for a one- or two-digit number followed by one or more dots. (Some pens also have a date code on the nib.) Early pens have two digits. In this code, the second digit represents the last digit of the year of manufacture. The first digit represents the quarter of the year; 1 indicates the first quarter (January through March), and so on. Thus, a pen with a date code of 46 was made in the fourth quarter of 1936. During the second quarter of 1938[1], the first digit disappears, to be replaced by a system of dots in which three dots indicate the first quarter, two indicate the second quarter, and one indicates the third quarter. If there are no dots, the pen was made in the fourth quarter. A pen with a date code of 8. was made in the third quarter of 1938. The following illustrations show the usual placement of the dot patterns:

Quarter
  		1 2 3 4
Dot Pattern . 0 . . 0 . . 0 . 0
.
(Note that because of the timing of the changeover, the earliest pens with three dots are from 1939.)

For pens that fall into the period after the changeover to a single digit with dots, the date codes break down for years with the same last digit. For example, 8 could indicate either 1938 or 1948. In this case, you must use the design features of the pen to determine the pen’s actual date of manufacture.

For the “51” (introduced in 1941) and other pens whose manufacture continued past 1949, the same coding holds true except that in 1950 the date code again became two digits of which the first is a 5, so that any code beginning with a 5 indicates a pen made in or after 1950, as specified by the second digit.

1980 to Present: This code has been in continuous use since its inception, with slight format changes every so often. At or near the cap lip, look for a series of letters. A letter from the series QUALITYPEN represents the last digit of the year of manufacture, as follows:

Last Digit of Year
  		0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Code Letter Q U A L I T Y P E N

For example, the presence of a Q indicates a pen that could have been made in 1980, 1990, etc., while P indicates manufacture in 1987, 1997, etc.

From 1980 to 1986, the year letter is the first character. Following it is a letter to mark the quarter of the year:

Quarter
  		1 2 3 4
Code Letter
E c L I

From 1987 through 1999, the quarter designation precedes the year letter, and it is in the form of the Roman numerals III, II, I, and nothing:

Quarter
  		1 2 3 4
Code Number
III II I

Thus, a pen marked UL was manufactured in the third quarter of 1981, and one marked IIIL was manufactured in the first quarter of 1994 or, if the code format had remained unchanged, 2004. To prevent any ambiguity between the 1990s and the 2000s, Parker in 2000 reversed the order of the year and quarter codes, also inserting a dot between them. Thus, pens made in the first quarter of 2000 were labeled Q.III instead of IIIQ as had been used a decade earlier. It can be assumed that Parker will make a further format change in 2010.

There does remain one instance of duplicated date codes: IL is ambiguous because it could represent the third quarter of either 1984 or 1993.

The Hard Ones: Everything Else

Most pens have no date codes, and they aren’t so easy to pin to a specific year. There are a few pens here and there that can be nailed down, such as Sheaffer’s Balance in Blue , a color that was produced only in 1932. The obvious approach, it seems, is to identify the year in which a certain pen model was introduced or a point at which the features of a given model changed in a distinctive way, and use that information to locate a pen that might not have been made in a specific year but can at least be dated to a narrow range of years. That’s what the rest of this article will help you do, by presenting a table listing dates and corresponding pen models or features. Most models remained in production for several years; in some cases, I have indicated in colored type the year during which a given model was discontinued. Certain other events are also marked in colored type.

Note: This timeline is a work in progress, and any further suggestions you can offer to help me add to it will be very much appreciated.
Year    Pen Models and Features
1921    Parker introduces the Duofold, in red hard rubber. Wahl introduces the Wahl Pen.
Fountain pen
Wahl Pen, Gothic pattern
 
1922    Parker adds the Duofold Junior and the ringtop Lady Duofold to its line. (Sheaffer replaces the words SHEAFFER-CLIP on its clips with Sheaffer’S logo. Wahl Tempoint discontinued.)
Fountain pen
Parker Lady Duofold
 
1923    Conklin introduces the Duragraph. (Sheaffer introduces the White Dot. Waterman introduces woodgrain (“mottled”) hard rubber.)
Fountain pen
Waterman’s Ideal Nº 01852 in RMHR
 
1924    Carter’s Ink Company begins manufacture of the Carter’s Pen. Chilton enters the market with its sliding-barrel pneumatic filler. Conklin introduces the Endura. (Duragraph retired.)
Fountain pen
Chilton pneumatic pen
 
1925    (Crescent-Filler retired.)
1926    (Parker converts production to celluloid (Permanite), beginning with the Duofold. Waterman introduces red rippled hard rubber.)
Fountain pen
Waterman’s Ideal Nº 01852 in RRHR
 
1927    Carter’s converts production to celluloid. Waterman introduces two new “Ripple” models, the Nº 5 and Nº 7.
Fountain pen
Carter’s Pen in blue celluloid
 
1928    Parker introduces the Three Fifty in Modernistic Blue (“True Blue”).
Fountain pen
Parker “True Blue.”
 
1929    Parker introduces the streamlined Duofold. Schnell introduces the Penselpen, the first successful combo. Sheaffer introduces the Balance. Wahl introduces the interchangeable-nib Personal Point. Waterman introduces the Patrician. (Three Fifty retired.)
Fountain pen
First-generation Sheaffer’s Balance
 
1930    Chilton introduces a new model, with an internal sliding pneumatic tube. Conklin introduces the Endura Symetrik. LeBoeuf introduces its sleeve filler. Wahl introduces the Equi-Poised. (Endura retired.)
Fountain pen
LeBoeuf sleeve filler
 
1931    Conklin introduces the Nozac. Wahl introduces the Doric and Oxford.
Fountain pen
Wahl-Eversharp Doric (Oversize model, in Burma color)
 
1932    Parker test-markets the Golden Arrow. Sheaffer produces the Balance in Blue (only year for this color). Wahl introduces the Bantam. (Equi-Poised and Personal Point retired.)
Fountain pen
Sheaffer’s Balance 3-25 in Blue
 
1933    Parker introduces the Vacumatic (briefly called the Vacuum-Filler). (Some Bantams imprinted for the 1933-1934 Century of Progress Exhibition.)
Fountain pen
Parker Vacumatic Standard
 
1934    Parker introduces the Parkette.
Fountain pen
1934 Parker Parkette
 
1935    Chilton introduces the Wing-flow. Esterbrook introduces its Dollar Pen. Parker introduces the Challenger. (Duofold retired.)
Fountain pen
Chilton Wing-flow
 
1936    Sheaffer introduces a streamlined (“radius”) clip on the Balance. Wahl-Eversharp introduces the Coronet. Waterman introduces the Ink-Vue.
Fountain pen
Waterman’s Ink-Vue
 
1937    Parker introduces the more-streamlined Speedline Vacumatic. Sheaffer introduces the Model 47, later named the Crest.
Fountain pen
Sheaffer’s Crest
 
1938    Conklin introduces the Glider. Wahl-Eversharp introduces the Pacemaker. (Endura Symetrik and Nozak retired; Conklin is sold to a Chicago syndicate.)
Fountain pen
Wahl-Eversharp Pacemaker
 
1939    Chilton introduces the Golden Quill. Parker introduces the Geometric (“Toothbrush”) Duofold. Waterman introduces the Hundred Year Pen. (Parker introduces the Blue Diamond. Parkette and Challenger retired.)
Fountain pen
Waterman’s Hundred Year Pen
 
1940    Esterbrook introduces 9000-series iridium-tipped nibs. Parker introduces the “striped” (Laidtone) Duofold. Sheaffer introduces the Tuckaway and military-clip Balances. (Geometric retired. Bantam retired.)
Fountain pen
1941 Sheaffer’s Tuckaway
 
1941    Parker introduces the “51”. Wahl-Eversharp introduces the Skyline. (Chilton ceases operation. Doric, Coronet, Pacemaker, and Oxford retired.)
Fountain pen
Parker “51”
 
1942    Sheaffer introduces the “TRIUMPH” Lifetime, a new line of pens featuring the conical Triumph nib. (Some Balances retired.)
Fountain pen
Sheaffer’s “TRIUMPH” Lifetime
 
1943    Esterbrook introduces a piston-filling pen (called a “twist” filler) with a streamlined clip. Eversharp introduces the Fifth Avenue/Sixty Four. Waterman introduces the Commando.
Fountain pen
Eversharp Sixty Four
 
1944    Esterbrook converts its “twist” filler to lever filling, creating the Model J.
Fountain pen
1944 Esterbrook Model J
 
1945    Reynolds introduces the Rocket ballpoint. Eversharp introduces the CA ballpoint. (Both pens are disastrously unreliable.) Waterman introduces the Taperite.
Fountain pen
Waterman’s Taperite Citation
 
1946    Moore introduces the Finger tip. Parker introduces the VS. (Remaining Balances retired. Fifth Avenue/Sixty Four retired.)
Fountain pen
Moore Finger tip
 
1947    Parker introduces the “51” Demi. Sheaffer introduces the Fineline.
Fountain pen
Sheaffer Fineline, metal cap
 
1948    Esterbrook introduces double-jewel Model J. Eversharp introduces the Raymond Loewy-designed Symphony. Parker converts “51” to Aero-metric filler and introduces the squeeze-filling “21”. (“Striped” Duofold and Vacumatic retired. Skyline retired. Conklin ceases operation.)
Fountain pen
Eversharp Symphony
 
1949    Parker introduces the “51” Flighter. Sheaffer introduces the Touchdown. (VS retired.)
Fountain pen
Sheaffer”s Touchdown Valiant
 
1950    Parker introduces the “41” and “51” Special and reintroduces the Parkette. Sheaffer introduces the Touchdown TM (Thin Model). (Tuckaway retired.)
Fountain pen
The new hooded-nib Parkette
 
1951    (Finger tip retired. “41” retired.)
1952    Sheaffer introduces the Snorkel.
Fountain pen
Sheaffer’s Snorkel Valiant (second-generation Periwinkle color, 1956 on)
 
1953    Eversharp introduces the Ventura (the “Burp” pen). Sheaffer introduces the TIPdip. Waterman introduces the C/F. (Cartridge Filler). (Parkette retired. Fineline retired. Symphony retired.)
Fountain pen
Eversharp Ventura
 
1954    (Waterman U.S.A. ceases manufacture.)
1955   
1956    Parker introduces the 61. (Moore ceases operation.)
Fountain pen
Parker 61
 
1957    Sheaffer introduces the Skripsert, a cartridge-filling design produced in a broad variety of models. Waterman introduces the French-made capillary-filling X-Pen. (Ventura retired. Parker purchases Eversharp. Waterman U.S.A. ceases operation.)
Fountain pen
Waterman’s X-Pen
 
1958    Sheaffer introduces the Lady Sheaffer, a Skripsert model.
Fountain pen
Lady Sheaffer XII
 
1959    Sheaffer introduces the PFM. (Other Snorkels retired.)
Fountain pen
Sheaffer’s PFM III
 
1960    Parker introduces the 45.
Fountain pen
Parker 45
 
1961    Sheaffer introduces the PFM-styled Imperial.
Fountain pen
Sheaffer Lifetime 1500 Imperial
 
1962    Parker introduces the VP.
Fountain pen
Parker VP
 
1963    Parker introduces the 75. (Sheaffer again offers a Lifetime warranty, on certain Imperials; TIPdip retired.)
Fountain pen
Parker 75 Sterling Ciselé
 
1964   
1965    (“21” and VP retired.)
1966   
1967   
1968    (PFM retired.)
1969    Parker introduces the 65. Sheaffer introduces the flat-top economy pen that will renamed No Nonsense in 1976.
Fountain pen
Sheaffer No Nonsense
 
1970    Parker introduces the T-1. Sheaffer introduces the Nostalgia.
Fountain pen
Parker T-1
 
1971    (T-1 retired. Esterbrook ceases operation.)
1972   
1973   
1974    Waterman introduces the Gentleman.
Fountain pen
Waterman Gentleman
 
1975    Parker introduces the 25. (“51” and 65 retired.)
1976    Sheaffer introduces the Targa and relaunches its economy flat-top as the No Nonsense.
Fountain pen
Targa by Sheaffer
 
1977    Parker introduces the Falcon 50.
Fountain pen
Unique Falcon 50 Prototype
 
1978   
1979    Parker introduces the 180.
Fountain pen
Parker 180
 
1980   
1981    Parker introduces the Vector.
Fountain pen
Parker Vector
 
1982    Cross introduces the Century. Parker introduces the Arrow. Sheaffer introduces the Slim Targa. (61 retired.)
Fountain pen
Parker Arrow
 
1983    Parker introduces the Premier. Sheaffer adds fountain pens to the TRZ line, introduced in 1981 as a ballpoint. Waterman introduces the Man 100. (Falcon 50 retired.)
Fountain pen
Parker Premier, Athens model
 
1984   
1985    Sheaffer introduces the Connaisseur. (180 retired.)
Fountain pen
Sheaffer Connaisseur
 
1986   
1987   
1988    Parker introduces the 88 and reintroduces the Duofold. (Arrow retired.)
Fountain pen
Duofold Centennial
 
1989    Parker introduces the 95.
Fountain pen
Parker 95 Flighter
 
1990    Sheaffer introduces the Fashion. Waterman introduces the Harlequin.
Fountain pen
Sheaffer Fashion
 
1991    Cross introduces the Signature. Parker introduces the Insignia. Sheaffer reintroduces the Crest.
Fountain pen
Cross Signature
 
1992    Cross introduces the Townsend. Sheaffer introduces the Fashion II. Waterman introduces the Edson.
Fountain pen
Waterman Edson
 
1993    Bexley enters the market with its limited-production Original. Parker introduces the Sonnet. (95 retired.)
Fountain pen
Bexley Original prototype
 
1994    Parker relaunches the 88 as the Rialto. (75 retired.)
Fountain pen
Parker Rialto
 
1995    Cross introduces the Solo. Sheaffer introduces the Legacy and the Triumph Imperial. (Connaisseur retired.)
Fountain pen
Sheaffer Legacy
 
1996    Levenger introduces the Seas series, based on the Sheaffer Connaisseur. Parker introduces the Frontier. Sheaffer produces the Triumph Imperial Holly Pen, first in a series of annual “Holiday Originals” limited editions.
Fountain pen
Parker Frontier
 
1997    Sheaffer introduces the Prelude. One first-year Prelude version is the Snow Pen, second and last of the “Holiday Originals.”
Fountain pen
Sheaffer Snow Pen
 
1998    Sheaffer introduces the Balance II. (Crest, Fashion, Targa, and Triumph Imperial retired.)
Fountain pen
Sheaffer Balance II
 
1999    Cross introduces the Pinnacle. Sheaffer introduces the Legacy II. (Legacy I retired.)
Fountain pen
Cross Pinnacle
 
2000    Cross introduces the ATX. Parker introduces the Ellipse. Sheaffer introduces the Intrigue.
Fountain pen
Parker Ellipse
 
2001    Bexley produces the Sleeve Filler. Parker introduces the Inflection.
Fountain pen
Bexley Sleeve Filler, open for filling
 
2002    Parker introduces the 51 Special Edition. Sheaffer introduces the Agio. (Ellipse retired.)
Fountain pen
51 SE with two-tone vermeil cap
 
2003    Sheaffer introduces the Legacy Heritage. Signum débuts with the De Divina Proportione series. (Legacy II retired.)
Fountain pen
Signum De Divina Proportione Doric, sterling barrel
 
2004    Parker introduces the 100. Sheaffer introduces the Agio Compact.
Fountain pen
Parker 100
 
2005    Bexley produces the Stradivarius LE. Parker introduces the Latitude. Taccia introduces the Mother of Pearl.
Fountain pen
Bexley Stradivarius LE
 
2006    Bexley introduces the America the Beautiful and the Simplicity. Cross introduces the Autocross. Sheaffer introduces the Valor. (45 retired.)
Fountain pen
Sheaffer Valor
 

Notes:

  1. There was a period during which the two quarter-designation schemes overlapped; some 1938 pens bear a date code of .28. (both quarter-designation schemes indicating the second quarter of the year).

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