Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-27

STEEL PENS Joseph elliott did not invent
the steel pen, any more than James Watt in
vented the steam engine, or George Stephenson
the railway. He only did, in his own peculiar
way, what those illuStrious men had done be-
fore him; he perfected that which he already
found in existence, but inchOate and inopera-
tive, and rendered available and cheap that
which before his time was either unavailable or
costly. The steel or iron pen is as old as his
tory, and, under its classic name of STYLUS was
the medium of introducing into modern lam
guage that which we call the style or manner of
writer, Not only iron and steel, but gold and
silver pens were manufactured for the dainty be-
fore the days Of elliott. But all of these were
expensive articles. elliott was EMPLOYED as n
grinder in the manufacture of steel pens, which
were made by hand, and sold at the rate of about
three shllllngs and siXpence each. Twenty years
ago Mr. elliott employed six hundred girls and
young women, beside machnsts, in his manu-
lactory-the number which he since employed
the writer cannot undertake to specify-and
produced between one hundred and fifty and
two hundred millions of steel pens annually.
IL would DC an Interesting little sum in arithmp-
TIC to calculate how many geese would have TO
DC reared aud fed and alterward robbed for the
supply OF sdch vast consumption of alills MS
Is represented by Mr. Gillotts figures, When
nc uist began TO manufacture steel pens he had
great and manifold difficulties to contend with.
People did not approve Of steel pens, and would
not write with them. Social conservatives. such
as bankers, great merchants, lawyers, authors,
ana others, would not admit them in their
.llces or ,tudles, looking upon them with much
dlslrust, surprise aud aversion.
Bur the unreasonable prejudiCcs Of The public,
when at this early period of his career were
sun more formidable, did net discourage Mr..
elliott. After while, though in small way,
ne introduced the agency of steam into the man
ulhclure, by which he was speedily enabled 10
supply much cheaper and infinitely better ar
tlcle. Alter very few years he began TO accu-
mulate wealth, and 1t was reported of him that
nc was fearful of opening u banking account,
lest the lame OF his earnings should attract
rivals into the business, but kept his sovercipns
IN earthen iars--as IL they were pickles-or
sewed them into Old stockings, or into the mat
tiess OF his bed. BY degrees however. the de-
mand for steel peas increased SO much that he
was unable TO supply IL, although he largely
extended ms factories and the number of his
work-people. The secret of his wealth and It's
sources could be preserved no longer, and rival.
Y anu Improvement went hand In hand until
tne steer pens Of Birmingham became known
ana approved all over the world.
A VISIT 10 Mr.. Gillotts, or any other pen fac
Tory IN the "toy-shop of the world" tor "toy"
IN lne trade plraseoOgy of Birmingham, Is a
woru that DESIGNERS not only pens, but pins,
needles, buckles, cOrkscrews, nails, banners,
AMI every conceivable tool that can be manulac-
turcd OF metal), is one Of the things which
every traveller who comes to England from fur
country must do" Just rs he does West
minister Abbey, the Tower Of London Windsor
Castle, or the Trosachs. The sight is exceed.
ingly interesting, aud includes u far greater va.