Who Invented the Quill Pen?
From the 9th century through to 19th, quill pens were an indispensable writing tool used for important documents like Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence. Constructed using goose, swan or turkey feathers – Thomas Jefferson even kept geese at Monticello to meet his demand!
The Feather
Quill pens were traditionally created using feathers from large birds (typically geese). Each feather was treated to create a hollow shaft for ink storage; then capillary action carried the ink directly to its nib. Before metal pens became popularized, this type of pen was the go-to writing instrument.
Estimates show that most medieval manuscripts were composed using quill pens; it also was employed for writing the Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson who kept geese at his house to supply him with feathers needed for writing these works.
Sheaffer’s deflatable sac and Parker’s diaphragm were two important breakthroughs during the fountain pen’s golden age, including Sheaffer’s deflation mechanism for improving ink flow while permitting multiple colors. These innovations ushered in an age of technological innovation.
The Pen Knife
Quill pens were an essential writing tool until the 19th century. While you can still find them today, most don’t function correctly, with unhardened nibs featuring fletching left on their edges and no hardening process applied before cutting. One ancient writing guide suggested that young ladies “ought to be capable of creating or mending quill pens themselves”.
The nib of a feather was formed by cutting away small portions on both sides of its point with a pen knife, creating an ink capillary for ink flow. A scribe would then scrape away excess membrane using the back edge of his knife blade.
Quill pens were used extensively to write medieval manuscripts and important documents like Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence. Their time finally ended when metal pens began mass production around 1820.
The Nib
The pen nib was the part of the quill that received ink; its pointy tip and small slit controlled the flow of ink from its source: the calamus.
Quill pens were used extensively with animal skin writing surfaces like parchment and vellum for writing on. Furthermore, these quill pens could also be combined with fine brushes for more intricate work like drawings and decorating existing books.
Quills were often created from five outer feathers from goose or swan wings. Only the strongest feathers would suffice; these would typically be plucked from live birds after they moulted during spring migration.
Around 1820, quill pens were replaced by mass production of dip pens – these featured metal nibs with capillary channels to regulate ink flow, attached to holders for easier use and were often sold to professions which required lots of text production without regards to quality.
The Handle
Quill pens were the primary writing instrument used by medieval scribes during the Middle Ages to produce important documents like Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence. Artists also frequently utilized quill pens to add decorative flourishes to their works; Thomas Jefferson even raised geese at his home to ensure enough feathers were available to ink his quill pens regularly.
Quill pens were historically known as dip pens due to their frequent inking needs. Common examples were made with goose, swan or turkey feathers for construction. Before the 1820s this writing tool dominated Western civilization.
Quill pens provide an authentic writing experience, but require skill to manage ink flow effectively and are less suitable for novice writers. Calligraphy pens have metal nibs which help ensure smooth and consistent ink flow for an easier writing experience [Dayspring Pens].
