The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-08-29
rAoTs Anour sTEE1 PENS.


Increasing sales in the Face of Type.
writer's aud Fountain Peus-A Little Pen
History-Pens Adapted TO individuals.
NeW York EucniR0 Post
The number OF steel pens consumed
yearly in tho United States is com.
puted to be between three and four for
each man. woman and child in the
land. Estimating the population at
100000, the total number OF pens
used yearly here is between 1876, 900, 900
and 260,0O0000. In Great Britain the
computation is said to be twelve pens
for each man, woman and child. This
figure is here believed to be too high.
The importation OF pens into the United
States is about one-halt the quantity
used. The exact quantity manufactured
here is known to be very few only, 1t
being trade secret carefully kept. Not
withstanding the invention OF the type.
writing machine and the fountain pen,
the sale OF steel pens steadily shows a
yearly increase. The percentage is tho
same practically as the percentage OF
yearly increase in the nations popul0-
ton.
In view Of tho general use into
which the typewriter aud the fountain
pen have come, the fact that their in
yention has had no mateEal influence
GU the sale Of steel pens is surprising.
But even tho operator on the type
writer is compelled to scribble, and
then, too-and this is assigned us the
chief cause OF the steel pens retaining
its sale-children continue to graduate
in greater numbers from the school
year by year. A representative OF one
OF the largest foreign manufacturers of
pens told the writer that he estimated
that the invention OF the typewriter
and tho fountain pen had decreased the
annual sale OF the steel pen thirty
three per cent, that is, had made the
Increased sale that much less than it
would be otherwise. The domestic
manufacturers, however, declared this
to be true only Of imported pens, and
that they felt tho effect OF competition
on the part OF the domestic pen.
Steel pens We're introduced into this
country in 1882 by Michael L. Leman,
the pen manufacturer, now dead. Their
introduction fell flat. People would
not use the metallic pen, as 1t was
called, on the ground OF the old con.
servativecry that what was good enough
for their fathers was good enough for
them. In addition, the fact that the
now writing device scratched and that
it seemed that the writing would not
last any length OF time, were effective
objections against its use. The last OBJ
lection is still assigned as the reason
why the Bank Of England uses the quill
to-day. The great fire in New York in
1886 was the cause OF the general intro
duCtion OF the steel pen here. In that
fire moro than 100000 quilts were
burned and shortage in the pen sup
ply ensued. Mr.. Leman, then n great
pom merchant, determined to sell only
steel pens, refusing to import the quill;
and he succeeded.
There Is much waste OF steel in the
manufacture OF pens. 1t Is unavoidable
and amounts to from % TO SO per cent.
The prepared steel that cannot be
turned into pens is thrown away, no
longer having capacity for use. 30
worn out pens arc no longer capable Of
utility in any form. 1t IL the acid in
tho ink that wears out the pen so
quickly. There are inks without acid,
but they are not generally used. A pen
that is in constant use lasts no longer
than day.
There arc pens and pens. A Fulton
street dealer has in his shop ,60S styles.
All.tllese he claims to manufacture. In
this pen shop, moreover, pens are pro.
scribed. II asked, tho proprietor will
examine his customer and tell him what
pen lie should use to write most easily,
most legibly and most rapidly. All
ments in penmanship are also cured by
tho prescription Of certain pens. lilo
says that from study he has como to tho
conclusion thut peculiar nervous tenn.
poramonts and habits Of mind require
the use Of certain atyles of pons to
achieve most in writing. For example
mind that thinks rapidly Is much
hindored II tho writer cannot keep
space with tho flow OF thought, and for
such a man he prescrl5es u rapid.
NraHsit pen which he makes. and which
really moves. with wonderful rapidly
even on tho toughest paper.
The stub pen came out In 1870 and
was first classed US "tho short nib on.
crossing pen" It was not intended to
popuIariSO 1t at Hrst, but tho demand
became 80 imperative that 1t was forced
on tho market despite the manufRctur,
ers. II has become ono OF the pens
largest in domaud. Tho different styles
Of this pen arc quito numerous, one do.
nestle manufacturer making twenty
varieties. Clergymen and lawyers use
them most.
Although tho pom lie 90 small q thing
and seemingly simple to mako, IL takes
sone time before II reaches the state
when 1t is ready Tor use. No order for
a pen that has 10 DO mado to order can
no executed in less than ton days. This
10 mainly duo 10 tho many times II has
to DO heated aud to tho securing II 20.
celvcs TO tako of tho rough edges.
Pens can be made out Of eight metals;
steel, brass, copper, gold, silver, plat.
mum, amalgan aud aluminium. Alum.
inium pens arc still novelty and arc
said 10 last much longer than any other