George Safford Parker

-The Founder of Fountain Pen

TypeType PrivatePrivate

IndustryIndustry Writing instrumentsWriting instruments

FoundedFounded 1891 1891

FounderFounder George Safford Parker George Safford Parker

HeadquarterHeadquarterss

Newhaven, East Sussex, England Newhaven, East Sussex, England

Area servedArea served Worldwide Worldwide

Key peopleKey people George Safford Parker, founder,George Safford Parker, founder,Kenneth Parker Kenneth Parker

ProductsProducts Fountain pens, Ballpoint pens Fountain pens, Ballpoint pens

ParentParent Newell Rubbermaid Newell Rubbermaid

WebsiteWebsite www.parkerpen.com www.parkerpen.com

Factory in Janesville, 1930's

Emblem

BornBorn November 1, 1863November 1, 1863

Shullsburg, Wisconsin Shullsburg, Wisconsin

DiedDied July 19, 1937July 19, 1937

Chicago, Illinois Chicago, Illinois

NationalityNationality AmericanAmerican

WorkWork

Significant Significant advanceadvance Fountain pen Fountain pen

Life & CareerLife & Career

In 1880 Parker was a telegraphy In 1880 Parker was a telegraphy instructor in Janesville, Wisconsin instructor in Janesville, Wisconsin and had a sideline repairing and and had a sideline repairing and selling fountain pens.selling fountain pens.

Dismayed by the unreliability of the Dismayed by the unreliability of the pens, he experimented with ways to pens, he experimented with ways to prevent ink leaks. prevent ink leaks.

In 1888, Parker founded the Parker In 1888, Parker founded the Parker Pen Company.Pen Company.

The next year he received his first The next year he received his first fountain pen patent.fountain pen patent.

1891: 1891: W.F. palmer invested in the W.F. palmer invested in the Parker Pen Company. His initial Parker Pen Company. His initial investment of $1,000 launched investment of $1,000 launched business for the company.  business for the company. 

1894: 1894: The Lucky Curve feed system, The Lucky Curve feed system, a system that allowed ink to flow a system that allowed ink to flow back into the reservoir, was back into the reservoir, was introduced, giving the company its introduced, giving the company its first technological break through and first technological break through and making it a big contender in the making it a big contender in the fountain pen industry. fountain pen industry.

  1898: 1898: The slip on outer pen cap was The slip on outer pen cap was patented patented

1903: 1903: Parker sought to establish Parker sought to establish overseas markets by embarking on a overseas markets by embarking on a world tour.world tour.

  1907: 1907: The Snake Pen, in sterling The Snake Pen, in sterling silver and gold, was launched. silver and gold, was launched.

By 1908, his factory on Main Street in By 1908, his factory on Main Street in Janesville was reportedly the largest Janesville was reportedly the largest pen manufacturing facility in the pen manufacturing facility in the world. world.

Parker eventually became one of the Parker eventually became one of the world's premier pen brands, and one world's premier pen brands, and one of the first brands with a global of the first brands with a global presence. George S. Parker High presence. George S. Parker High School in Janesville is his namesake.School in Janesville is his namesake.

1912: 1912: A new form of the safety cap A new form of the safety cap was introduced was introduced

1918: 1918: The company’s annual sales The company’s annual sales surpassed $1 million.surpassed $1 million.

1964: 1964: In celebration of their 75th In celebration of their 75th anniversary, Parker released the Parker anniversary, Parker released the Parker 75, a special edition fountain pen in 75, a special edition fountain pen in sterling silver and with a 14k gold nib. sterling silver and with a 14k gold nib.

  Today, Parker Pens are used all Today, Parker Pens are used all around the world and sold in over 120 around the world and sold in over 120 countries. From Truman to Bush, countries. From Truman to Bush, Parker's signature design and Parker's signature design and streamlined craftsmanship have even streamlined craftsmanship have even made the pens the choice for the made the pens the choice for the nation's leaders.  nation's leaders.