In this page are reported the most relevant events like brands foundation or termination, introduction of new models or dismission of the old ones, creation of technical innovations, variations carried out on the characteristics of the models, realizations of new materials, etc. The events are listed year by year, trying to cover what that happened in the fountain pen history.

Dates reported here are sometime controversial, when we are aware of this we summarize the uncertainty reporting the alternatives, but you can find the details of the controversies only looking at the detailed pages for brands and models, unfortunately just a few of them have been translated from italian. Moreover information about dismission of models and features are always approximate, because sometime model or feature were ceased from production or from catalogs, but the pens were still sold or produced for still some time. So please do not take dates reported here for granted, often they are just guesses, and they may be wrong for taking a wrong reference, always check in the pages referred inside the single entry.

This chronology is almost unmaintained for pens produced after the '60s because they are of almost of no interest both for the history and the author of this page. This page is the English translation of the contents of the Italian page Cronologia, it's still a work in progress, and I have little knowledge of English. If you want to help just let me know, you can use the contact info in the information link that's in the bottom of all the pages.

1761

  • Kaspar Faber starts a pencil production in Stein, is the Faber-Castell origin

1770

  • Nisbet Macniven founded a factory in Balerno, is the Cameron origin

1788

  • P. C. Lambertye starts a watercolors production, is the Paillard origin

1790

  • Hardtmuth is founded by Joseph Hardtmudt in Vienna

1795

  • Conté is founded by Nicolas-Jacques Conté as Société Conté

1802

1813

1818

  • William S. Hicks starts[1]his activity, is the Hicks origin

1827

  • Petrache Poenaru get what seems the first patent in fountain pens

1832

  • Stephens is founded by Harry C. Stephens in Londra as Harry C. Stephens Limited

1835

  • Johann Sebastian Staedtler founded his pencil factory in Nuremberg, is the Mars Staedtler origin

1838

  • printed the first catalog of the Hornemann's Paint and Ink Factory company, considered the official start of Pelikan activities

1840

  • John and Donald Cameron became Macniven partners founding Macniven & Cameron Ltd.

1841

1842

  • Mallat is founded by Jean Benoit Mallat in Parigi

1843

1845

  • Swan is founded by John Mabie, Henry Todd in New York as Mabie, Todd and Co.

1846

  • Richard Cross and E. W. Bradbury begin their activities in the United States, is the Cross origin

1848

  • A. Morton & Co. is founded by Alexander Morton in New York as A. Morton & Co

1849

  • Boots is founded by Jesse Boot in Nottingham

1850

  • Brause is founded by Carl Brause, Friedrich Brause, Wilhelm Brause, Carl Bergfeld in Iserlohn
  • J. M. Paillard succeed in business founded in 1788 by P. C. Lambertye

1852

  • Jean Benoit Mallat patents a metallic nib pen

1854

  • John Mabie patents (nº US-11762) telescopic mechanism for pen and pencil holder

1856

  • Eagle is founded by Heinrich Berolzheimer in New York as Eagle Pencil Company
  • Esterbrook is founded by Richard Esterbrook in Camden, New Jersey as United States Steel Pen Manufacturing Company

1857

  • Hicks is founded by William S. Hicks in New York as William S. Hicks (& Sons) Gold Pen Company

1858

  • Carter's Ink Company is founded by William Carter in Boston, Massachusetts as William Carter Company
  • Esterbrook is renamed as Esterbrook Steel Pen Manufacturing Company
  • Spencerian is founded by Ivison Phinney in New York as Spencerian Steel Pen Co.

1860

  • Neptune is founded by Burge, Warren, Ridgley in Londra as Burge, Warren & Ridgley Ltd.
  • Venus is founded by Edward Weissenborn in Hoboken as American Lead Pencil Company

1861

1862

  • John Holland acquire George Sheppard activity, giving birth to John Holland Pen Company

1863

  • Günther Wagner became a partner in the Hornemann's Paint and Ink Factory, future Pelikan

1864

  • Aikin Lambert is founded by James Cornelious Aikin, Henry Lambert in New York
  • Jean Benoit Mallat patents the Siphoïde, a fountain pen ancestor

1865

1869

  • Maruzen is founded by Yuteki Hayashi in Yokohama

1871

  • Günther Wagner buy the Hornemann's Paint and Ink Factory, future Pelikan, when Carl Hornemann retires

1873

  • Jonhatan Sprague Bard join Mabie Todd that becomes Mabie Todd & Bard

1874

1875

  • Soennecken is founded by Friederich Soennecken in Bonn as Soennecken Verlag

1876

  • MacKinnon is founded by Duncan Mackinnon in Toronto as Post Fountain Pen Company

1877

  • Alonso T. Cross patents a stilographic pen and a new mechanical pencil

1878

  • Johan Faber starts the Johan Faber A. G., part of what will be the Faber-Castell
  • Günther Wagner registers the Pelikan trademark, creating the Günther Wagner Pelikan
  • Tempo is founded by Engelbert Gerspacher in Vienna

1879

1880

  • Alonso T. Cross create his own company A. T. Cross - Pen and Pencil Manufacturer

1881

  • a Cross Pen Company is founded in Boston for fountain pen production, different from A. T. Cross
  • De La Rue produced the Anti-Stylograph pen, a primordial fountain pen

1882

  • first fountain pen patent assigned to Paul E. Wirt

1883

  • Kaweco is founded by Luce, Ensslen in Heidelberg as Heidelberger Federhalterfabrik
  • Waterman is founded by Lewis E. Waterman in New York

1884

  • Grieshaber is founded by Benjamin B. Grieshaber in Chicago as Grieshaber Pen Company
  • Jewel Pen Co. is founded by John Calton in Londra as Jewel Pen Company
  • Lewis Edson Waterman get his first patent (nº US-293545) for a multi-channel feeder
  • Wirt is founded by Paul E. Wirt in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

1885

  • Wirt opens a factory in Iron Street, Bloomberg

1886

  • Waterman introduces the first barrel worked mechanically

1887

1888

  • Waterman is incorporated as L. E. Waterman Company

1889

  • George S. Parker begin to make fountain pens
  • Weidlich is founded by Otto E. Weidlich in Cincinnati as O. E. Weidlich Pen Company

1890

  • Beaumel is founded by David W. Beaumel in New York as D. W. Beaumel & Co.
  • Eagle create a glass cartridge pen
  • Swan Mabie Todd & Bard starts using the Swan trademark[4]
  • Waterman introduces the first desk pen with conical end
  • Wirt proclaims the sale of 350,000 pens

1891

  • George S. Parker begin a partnership with William F. Palmer

1892

  • Heidelberger Federhalterfabrik, that will become Kaweco, begins fountain pen production[5]
  • Roeder is founded by S. Roeder in Berlino as S. Roeder - Stahlfeder und Füllfederhalterfabrik

1893

1894

  • Post Fountain Pen is founded by Woodroof Post in New York as Post Fountain Pen Company

1895

  • Siebert and Lowen, producer of Matador pens, is founded

1896

  • Caw's is founded by Francis C. Brown in New York as Caw's Ink and Pen Company
  • Laughlin is founded by James W. Laughlin in Detroit as Laughlin Pen Company
  • Wearever is founded by David Kahn in North Bergen, New Jersey as David Kahn Inc.

1897

  • A. A. Waterman is founded by Arthur A. Waterman, William G. Frazer, Hobart W. Geyer in Boston
  • Soren Christian Frederik Olsen starts a company[6], is the Penol origin

1898

  • Iris is founded by Giuseppe Leoncini in Firenze

1899

  • H. Koch and R. Weber acquire the Heidelberger Federhalterfabrik, that becomes Kaweco
  • Moore Pen Company is founded by Walter F. Cushing, William F. Cushman in Boston as American Fountain Pen Company

1900

  • Fend is founded by Karl Fend, Georg Fend in Pforzheim as Gebrueder Fend G.m.b.H.
  • Klio-Werk is founded by Eduard Reisert in Hennef

1901

  • the Self Fountain Pen Co. is renamed as Conklin Pen Manufacturing Co

1902

  • Crocker is founded by Seth S. Crocker in Boston as Crocker Pen Company
  • Greif is founded by Carl Bruer in Goslar

1903

  • Etienne Forbin become agent for some U.S. writing instruments manufacturers, is the Bayard origin
  • Eclipse is founded by Marx Finstone in San Francisco as Eclipse Fountain Pen Co.
  • Eugène Moreau establish the Société Anonyme des anciens établissements Paillard
  • Christian Olsen sign an agreement with Parker for their pens distribution

1904

  • Boston Pen is founded by Charles Brandt in Boston as Boston Fountain Pen Company
  • Roy Conklin retires selling his quotes on the company (or 1907)
  • Sanford and Bennet is founded by William W. Sanford, Frederick D. Bennet in New York as Sanford & Bennet Company
  • Schnell is founded by Julius L. Schnell in New York as Julius L. Schnell Pen Company
  • Welty is founded by William W. Welty in Waterloo as Welty Pen Company

1905

  • Bankers is founded in New York as Bankers Pen Company
  • Conway Stewart is founded by Francis Charles Jarvis, Thomas Howard Garner in Londra
  • Perfection is founded by Jay G. Rider in Rockford as J. G. Rider Pen Company
  • American Lead Pencil Company registers the Venus trademark

1906

  • August Eberstein start producing fountain pens in Germany
  • Penkala is founded by Slavoljub Eduard Penkala, Edmund Moster in Zagreb as Edward Moster & Co.

1907

  • the Conklin Pen Manufacturing Co was renamed Conklin Pen Company (do not match with patent data)
  • Swan is incorporated as Mabie Todd & Co.

1908

  • Kaweco patents a safety pen with threaded bottom to be turned by screwing the cap (1909?)
  • Montblanc is founded by August Eberstein, Alfred Nehemias, Claus-Johannes Voss in Hamburg as Simplo Filler Pen Co. GmbH

1909

  • SSS is founded by Asashiro Hosonuma as SSS Pen Company
  • Swan starts fountain pen production in England

1910

  • Edacoto is founded by Jacques Bonhomme in Parigi as Edac
  • Montblanc introduces the first model called Montblanc
  • Morrison is founded by Louis Morrison in New York as Morrison Fountain Pen Company

1911

  • first trace of Nettuno activities in an advertizement draft
  • SSS starts fountain pen production
  • Sailor is founded by Kyugoro Sakata in Kure as Sakata Seisakusho Co
  • Vaughn-Upton is founded by Francis W. Vaughn, Henry J. Upton in Boston

1912

  • A. A. Waterman loses the lawsuit filed by Waterman and should mark his fountain pens as Not Connected with the L. E. Waterman Company
  • Etienne Forbin registers Bayard trademark
  • Fratelli Cavaliere is founded by Giuseppe Cavaliere, Aldo Cavaliere, Carlo Cavaliere in Milano
  • Montegrappa is founded by Edwige Hoffman, Heinrich Helm in Bassano del Grappa as Manifattura Pennini Oro per Stilografiche - The Elmo Pen
  • Monterosa is founded by Fritz Dimmler in Zurich

1913

  • A. A. Waterman was refounded as The Modern Pen Company in West Virginia
  • Soennecken extends the range of fountain pens with many models

1914

  • Inkograph is founded by Joseph Wallace, William Frank Wallace in New York
  • Kaweco acquire A. Morton & Co., taking their know how and starts its nib production in Heidelberg (1913?)
  • Kraker is founded by George M. Kracker in Kansas City as Kraker Pen Company
  • the Simplo Fullfeder GmbH start official use of Montblanc trademark
  • the Simplo Filler Pen Co. GmbH is renamed as Simplo Fullfeder GmbH
  • Wahl Eversharp is founded by John C. Wahl in Chicago as The Wahl Company
  • Wahl Eversharp enter the writing instrument market producing the Eversharp pencil
  • Carlo Drisaldi becomes general agent for Italy of Waterman
  • Whytwarth is founded by John Whytwarth in London

1915

  • Walter Boss buys Cross from Alonso Townsend Cross

1916

  • Byers & Hayes is founded by John E. Hayes, George T. Byers in New York
  • Hallmark is founded by The United Jewelers Inc. in New York
  • Mallat starts fountain pen production
  • Nettuno is founded by Umberto Vecchietti in Bologna
  • Salz is founded by Jacob Salz, James Salz, Ignatz Salz in New York
  • Tibaldi is founded by Giuseppe Tibaldi in Firenze as G. Tibaldi e C.

1917

  • John Holland dies, his sons take over the management
  • the American Fountain Pen Company becomes the Moore Pen Company
  • Pagliero is founded by Luigi Pagliero in Settimo Torinese
  • Stilus is founded by Emilio Pecco in Torino as Pecco e C. Stilus
  • Swan introduces models with ink pads for the soldiers at the front (its Trench Pen)

1918

  • Giuseppe Zanini opens an activity named Arti Grafiche - Giuseppe Zanini, is the Ancora origin
  • Columbus is founded by Eugenio Verga, Alfredo Verga in Milano as Alfredo Verga dei Fratelli Verga Snc
  • De Witt-La France is founded by David J. La France, William P. De Witt in Cambridge, Massachusetts as De Witt - La France Co.
  • Geha is founded by Heinrich Hartmann, Conrad Hartmann in Hannover
  • Le Tigre is founded by René Kintz in Bruxelles as Établissements René Kintz
  • Franck LeBoeuf patents a pen production method from celluloid tubes
  • Morison is founded by Torajirou Tanigawa as Kikaku Pen Company
  • Pilot is founded by Ryosuke Namiki, Matsuo Wada in Tokyo as Namiki Manufacturing Company
  • Stellor is founded by Joseph Beaufils in Nurieus

1919

  • Mentmore is founded in London as Mentmore Manufacturing Company
  • Armando Simoni registers a business for "Lavorazione di articoli di penne in ebanite"
  • Osmia is founded by Hermann Böhler in Dossenheim as Böhler und Cie
  • Platinum is founded by Syunichi Nakata in Tokyo as Nakaya Seisakusho
  • Reform is founded by Ludwig Jung, Paul Fortran, Johann Heinz in Heidelberg as Reform Füllfederhalter-fabrik Gmbh
  • Ripet is founded by Emil Kroutl in České Budějovice
  • Swan moves its headquarters to Oxford Street[13]
  • Unic is founded by M. M. Kothe, Vannier

1920

  • A. A. Waterman was sold changing name in Chicago Safety Pen Company moving to Chicago
  • Giuseppe Zanini founds the Fabbrica e Commercio di Penne Stilografiche e Raffinati Oggetti per Arti Grafiche
  • Artcraf is founded by Ford Cromer in Birmingham
  • Autopoint is founded by W. E. Gerry in Chicago as Autopoint Pencil Company
  • Burnham is founded by Harry Burnham in London
  • Seth Sears Crocker left business and his son Seth Chilton Crocker took over the company
  • Dictator is founded by J. Hendricks, W. Burress, E. A. Paulton, Arthur Winter in New York as Dictator Fountain Pen Company
  • Kosca is founded by Paul Kohler, Christian Schaefer in Pforzheim
  • Merz & Krell is founded by Friedrich Merz, Georg Merz, Justus Krell in Bieberau

1921

  • Astoria is founded by Georg Ilgner in Amburgo
  • Boralevi is founded by Boralevi in Milano
  • Chas H Ingersoll is founded by Charles H. Ingersoll as Ingersoll Dollar Pen Company
  • Dunn is founded by Charles Dunn in New York as The Dunn Pen and Pencil Company, Inc.
  • Ercolessi is founded by Edgardo Ercolessi in Milano
  • Giacomazzi is founded by Pietro Giacomazzi, Girolamo Giacomazzi in Settimo Torinese
  • Ingersoll Limited is founded by Charles H. Ingersoll as Ingersoll Dollar Pen Company
  • LeBoeuf is founded by Frank Le Boeuf, Edward E. Le Boeuf, Leroy J. Learned, John H. Williams, Eugene E. Le Boeuf in Springfield
  • Nettuno registered the Penna Nettuno Sicurezza trademark for its pens
  • Stylomine is founded by Yves E. Zuber in Parigi

1922

  • Ettore Ripamonti becomes Aurora exclusive agent and published first catalog[16]
  • Bayard Panici Freres & Co is founded, they will produce the Bayard pens
  • Big Ben is founded by Niels Benzon in Copenhagen as Benzon Trading Company
  • Edacoto starts its fountain pen production
  • Gold Medal is founded by E. P. Marum in Chicago as The National Pen Product Company
  • Armando Simoni registers Officine Meccaniche di Precisione Simoni Armando

1923

  • Autopoint Pencil Company is bought by Realite Pencil Company and renamed Autopoint Products Company
  • Chilton is founded by Seth Chilton Crocker in Boston as Chilton Pen Company
  • Fratelli Rossi Vicenza is founded by Rinaldo Rossi, Marcello Rossi in Sandrigo as Fratelli Rossi - Penne Stilografiche e Materiali Pressati
  • Pilot introduces the first hard rubber lacquer coated models
  • Scripto is founded by Monie A. Ferst in Atlanta as M. A. Ferst Company

1924

  • Giuseppe Zanini establish his Fabbrica di penne stilografiche e commercio, stampe in genere e riproduzioni opere d'arte
  • Dunn get its first bankrupcy filing
  • Syunichi Nakata tranfer to Tokyo and found Nakaya Seisakusho Pen Co.

1925

  • Ancora carries the production to Sesto Calende
  • Eclipse opens a canadian branch as indipendent company
  • KWG is founded by Frederik Grube, Heinrich Woringen, J. Knust in Wiesloch
  • Luxor is founded by Heinrich Hebborn in Heidelberg as H. Hebborn & Co.
  • Montegrappa is bought by Alessandro Marzotto and Domenico Manea
  • Montegrappa started the production of Montegrappa branded models
  • Platignum is founded in Londra as Platignum Pen Company
  • Postal is founded in New York as Postal Pen Company Inc.
  • Tropen is founded by Gustav Schroeder in Ludenscheid
  • Wirt is incorporated ad Paul Wirt Pen Co.
  • Wirt is sold by its founder, it will continue production for a few years

1926

  • Chilton moves to Long Island and introduces first celluloid models
  • Haro is founded by Hans Roggenbuck in Frömsdorf
  • JiF is founded by Jules Fagard
  • Ma-Gus is founded by Gustavo Maier
  • Montegrappa is renamed as Manifattura Pennini Oro e Penne Stilografiche Elmo
  • Pilot open representative offices in Singapore, New York and London
  • Società Anonima Pennini King (The King), that will become SAFIS, is founded in Turin
  • Spors is founded by Frank Spors in Lesueuer Center, Minnesota

1927

  • the Alfredo Verga dei Fratelli Verga is closed, Eugenio Verga continue Columbus production alone
  • De La Rue - Onoto productions is transferred to Strathendry in the Fifeshire, Scotland
  • Dunn ceases operations
  • Eureka is founded by Giuseppe Ceribelli in Milano
  • Nettuno introduces its flat top model (guess date, referring to second half of '20s)
  • Pilot starts producing mechanical pencils
  • Sager is founded by Salomon M. Sager in Chicago, Illinois
  • Silga is founded by Eugenio Giarola in Milano
  • Swan introduces fist models in celluloid
  • Wahl Eversharp introduces celluloid models in the Jade Green, Lapis Blue and Coral Red colours

1928

  • Nakaya Seisakusho Pen Co. is renamed as Platinum Fountain Pen Co.
  • Philipp Mutschler leaves Kaweco and founds Certo, future Reform
  • Rotring is founded by Wilhelm Riepe in Amburgo as Tintenkuli Handels GmbH
  • Schnell becomes the "Schnell Penselpen Company" with the acquisition of the "Dub-El Service Pen-Pencil Corp."

1929

  • first known trademark registration (Reg. Gen. N. 40112) for Ancora
  • Aurora underwent restructuring and starts the Olo and Asco sub-brands
  • Bayard introduces its first celluloid models
  • Gold Starry retires previous models and convert all production to celluloid
  • Helios is founded by Eugenio Giarola in Milano
  • original Kaweco bankrupt, KWG acquire the trademark and the Kaweco Badische Füllhalterfabrik is born
  • LUS is founded by Umberto Legnani in Saronno as L.U.S. di Umberto Legnani
  • Tripen is founded by George Coby in Providence as Tripen Manufacturing Company
  • Waterman introduces the Patrician model in Onyx, Turquoise, Jet, Emerald and Nacre colors
  • Alfred Finburgh leaves Wyvern, Alec and David remained
  • Zenith is founded by Giuseppe Morandino in Milano

1930

  • Ancora introduces celluloid models (guess date)
  • Cross introduces an enamelled bands fountain pen pairing with pencils
  • Lamy is founded by Joseph C. Lamy in Heidelberg as Orthos Fullhalterfabrik C. J. Lamy
  • Magic Pen is founded by Umberto Mazza in Milano
  • Mastilo is founded by Ubaldo Massari in Torino
  • Parker retires from Osmia and the Osmia GmbH is founded
  • Scriba is founded by A. Dalla Porta in Verona
  • Titania is founded by Giorgio Fornello in Settimo Torinese
  • the company Rag. D. Capra takes over from Carlo Drisaldi as the Italian agent of Waterman[22]

1931

  • Atlantica is founded by Giacomo Capella in Milano
  • A. W. Faber-Castell and Johan Faber A. G. start to join
  • after Benelli was leaving the brand simply becomes Tibaldi
  • Tibaldi replace the ball clip with a drop clip (guess date, refers to beginning of the '30s)

1932

  • Panici Freres & Co is renamed Stylo Bayard and the trademark "Bayard" is engraved on clips
  • Ceriani is founded by Davide Ceriani in Sesto Calende as Primaria Fabbrica Penne Stilografiche
  • Contessa is founded by Augusto De Bernardi in Genova
  • Mengoni is founded by Virginio Mengoni in Milano
  • Uhu is founded by August Fischer in Baden as UHU Werk H.u.M.
  • Zerollo is founded by Dante Davide Zerollo in Genova

1933

  • the Canadian and the U.S. Eclipse are re-united under a single property
  • Gold Starry introduces small pen in preciuos metal from Viala Lilliput
  • Kikaku Pen Company is renamed as Morison
  • Olivieri is founded by Giuseppe Olivieri in Milano
  • Swan introduces more streamlined models (or 1934)
  • Waterman introduces the 32 (?) models in celluloid

1934

  • in Italy (R.D. 305 of 1934-02-05) all gold nib must be marked according to law with the thousandths inside a lozenge
  • LUS starts fountain pen production
  • the Simplo Fullfeder GmbH is renamed as Montblanc-Simplo GmbH
  • Società Anonima Pennini King (The King) becomes Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Stilografiche (SAFIS) (guess date[27])
  • Zemax is founded by Massimo Zeme in Torino

1935

  • Camel is founded by Joseph Wustman in Orange, New Jersey
  • Columbus moved into the new headquarters of Via Lamarmora in Milan
  • Columbus introduces the arrow clip (date approximate)
  • Duchessa is founded by Pietro Codega in Milano
  • Summit introduces bigger nibs on top fountain pens
  • Stephens enters the fountain pen market with pens produced by Lang
  • death of Giuseppe Tibaldi, direction passes to his nephew, Giorgio Schiassi

1936

  • Cervinia is founded by Giuseppe Carboni in Torino as Fabbrica Italiana Penne Stilografiche Cervinia
  • Pagliero change name in Luigi Pagliero e F.
  • Saratoga is founded by Edoardo Russo Webber in Milano
  • Swan moves its headquarters to Sunderland House[35]

1937

  • Ancora introduces the Maxima (guess date, coincident with the trademark registration, Reg. Gen. N. 56843)
  • Ancora introduces the Da-Ma (guess date, coincident with the trademark registration, Reg. Gen. N. 56845)
  • Isaia Levi founds the Sapem, Società anonima penne e matite, and and gives it ownership of the Fabbrica italiana di penne a serbatoio Aurora
  • Edacoto introduces stepped shaped clips with arrow point (or 1935?)
  • Vulcan is founded by Francesco Guarino in Settimo Torinese

1938

  • Böhler is founded by Hermann Böhler in Heidelberg
  • Chilton transfer activities to Summit, in New Jersey
  • all Conklin assets are sold to a Chicago investor group
  • japanese brands are forced to use steel nibs, called shiro nib
  • Kaweco restilizes the Sport, with the two versions 609 (safety) and 612 (piston)
  • Luxor transfers the production facilities in Cologne
  • the Pilot logo take the "P" letter instead of "N"
  • Pilot is renamed as Pilot Pen Co., Ltd.
  • Tibaldi introduces the Impero (guess date, refers to the end of the '30s)
  • Waterman introduces the with the JiF French subsidiary the "Blue des Mers du Sud" light blue ink.

1939

  • Colorado is founded by Orlando Quadretti in Bologna
  • Conklin production is transferred to Chicago
  • Lamy acquire Artus Fullaltergesellschaft Kaufmann und Co (guess date)
  • Montegrappa introduces the cap engraving of the MG initials within a circle (guess date, stands for the end of '30s)
  • Pagliero registers the mark LPF in a diamond (Reg. Gen. N. 58632)
  • Günther Wagner - Pelikan replace on all models gold and palladium nibs with chromiun-nichel nibs (marked "CN") for war restrictions
  • Perop is founded by Vladimír Kaiser, Emil Kroutl, Adolf Krygar, František Zeman in Prague
  • Roccati is founded by Luigi Benedetto, Dino Gilardi in Settimo Torinese
  • Stiassi e Tantini become S.I.S.A. (Società Italiana Stilografiche e Affini) and starts usinig Tabo trademark
  • Zemax is officially registered as Zeme Massimo e C. Soc. Anonima

1940

  • A.B.T. is founded by Achille Busi in Torino
  • Kaweco restilizes again the Sport, with the two versions 9 (safety) and 12 (piston)
  • S.I.S.A. (owner of Tabo trademark) become F.I.S.A. (Fabbrica Italiana Stilografiche e Affini) (approximate date[43])
  • Swan ends production of Visofil with the destruction of the Harlesden factory
  • the Wahl Company Co. and Eversharp Inc. are fused into Eversharp Inc.

1941

  • Itala Cromograf is founded by Filippo Giriodi, Livio Campanelli in Genova as Società anonima vendita penne bicolore Itala Cromograf
  • Piave is founded by Mario Cristofoletti in Treviso
  • Reform Füllfederhalter-fabrik Gmbh becomes the Reform Füllfederhalter-fabrik Heinz & Jung
  • Swan ends production in New York

1942

  • Columbus factory is destroyed by bombing, production is moved to Lesa
  • Estense is founded by Maria Pozzetti in Modena as Marca Estense
  • Inoxcrom is founded by Manuel Vaqué Ferrandis in Barcellona as Industrial MAVA
  • Stylomine introduces the Stylomine 302 mechanical pencil
  • Stylomine introduces a wheat ear engraved decoration of the clip

1943

  • Stylomine introduces a grape engraved decoration of the clip

1944

1945

  • Aurora plants are destroyed by a bombing
  • Maryland is founded by Camillo Vairo in Torino
  • Titanus is founded by Selvaggio Palmerini in Milano
  • Wahl Eversharp introduces the CA ballpoint pens starts appearing in the USA market

1946

  • Columbus restarts production in Milan factory
  • Hans Roggenbuck is expelled from East Germany, Haro stops the activity
  • Curzon change name in Summit Pens Ltd (guess date, stands for just after WWII)
  • Osmia restarts production
  • Swan resume production in new facilities in Park Royal[48]
  • Wilmas is founded by Angelo Rosso in Asti

1947

  • Columbus introduces the economic models 52, 53 and 54 (guess date, stands for postwar)
  • Montegrappa was re-established as "Elmo - Montegrappa s.n.c."
  • Stylomine introduces the Stylomine 404 mechanical pencil

1948

  • Hans Roggenbuck re-founded Haro in Regensburg
  • LUS starts ballpens production
  • Pilot creates the Nagoya ink factory and the Hiratsuka pens factory
  • Pilot entered the market of stationery products
  • Platinum introduces ballpoint with water based ink, forerunner of the roller pens
  • Sailor began producing a line of celluloid pens
  • Stylomine introduces the Stylomine 707 ballpoint
  • Swan becomes a public limited company[49]

1949

  • Ancora introduces the Calamus (guess date, stands for the end of '40s)
  • Kaweco restilizes again the Sport, with the 112 version
  • Tiziana Record is founded by Pietro Cucco in Settimo Torinese as Tiziana Record di Cucco & Ferraris
  • Uhu starts writing instruments production

1950

  • Geha starts fountain pen production
  • Wilson is founded by Giuseppe Toffali in Settimo Torinese

1951

  • Columbus move the headquarters from via Lamarmora to via Trebbia
  • Montegrappa was re-established as "Fabbrica Penne Stilografiche Elmo Montegrappa s.r.l."

1952

  • Platinum is the first Japanese producer creating injection molding plastic pens
  • Swan is acquired by the Biro Company which has become the majority shareholder, and changes its name in Biro-Swan[52]

1953

  • Alpa is founded in Montecatini Terme
  • Kaweco restilizes again the Sport, with the two versions 12 and 11 (lady)
  • Uhu ends writing instruments production

1954

  • Cross enters ballpoint market
  • Ero is founded by Ernst Rodenhäuser in Ober-Ramstadt
  • japanese nibs have the JIS (Japan Industrial Standards) mark imprinted
  • american Waterman plants close, production continues in France and England

1955

  • Columbus production is totally converted to plastic models (guess date, stands for the the mid-50s)

1956

  • Montblanc move the Montblanc engraving on cap
  • the IBIS 130 E Elektrographik appears in a swiss catalog
  • Sailor ends the production of its line of celluloid pens
  • American Lead Pencil Company becomes the Venus Pen and Pencil Corp.

1957

  • Conway Stewart introduces ballpoint and turns production to molded plastic

1958

  • De La Rue - Onoto ceases operations in England, activities are selled to Australian reseller
  • Montblanc produces 25x in green, red and gray, and with clear window
  • Montblanc produces 34x in green, red and gray, and with clear window

1959

  • Waterman american plants are sold to BIC

1960

  • Kaweco restilizes again the Sport, with the version 12G
  • Paillard ceases fountain pen production (?)

1961

  • Pilot starts producing ballpoints

1962

1963

  • Reform is bought by Philipp Mutschler sons

1964

1965

  • Kaweco restilizes again the Sport, with the two versions 12G and V12 (hooded nib)
  • Pagliero stops using Stilus trademark (guess date, referring to half of '60s)
  • Rotring use the red ring (Rotring) as official trademark

1966

1967

  • Soennecken the company fails and ceases production

1968

  • Pilot introduces the telescopic model ?

1969

1970

  • Brause stops fountain pen production
  • Kaweco restilizes again the Sport, with the versions V16 and V16N (hooded nib)

1971

  • Fend ceases operations
  • Jif-Waterman acquire the Waterman trademark and become Waterman S.A.

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

  • Kaweco fails and ceases production

1982

Note

  1. it's the earlier date reported in this page.
  2. the most part of the Pelikan chronology take as reference the book Pelikan Schreibgeräte 1929-2004, by Jürghen Dittmer and Martin Lehmann, we used their indications also when other articles (also those referenced in this site) are reporting discordant dates.
  3. as claimed in this advertisement.
  4. indicative date according to David Nishimura, see here.
  5. the most part of the Kaweco chronology is obtained form the information that were published by the company itself (no more on-line) and from the new company history published here and now here.
  6. the most part of the Penol chronology take as reference this website.
  7. referring to a flyer of this year that shows Riccardo Amisani as general representative for Italy and colonies.
  8. as determined by George Kovalenko, see this review.
  9. according to what is said in this page.
  10. see this advertisement.
  11. the most part of the Sheaffer chronology take as reference the article: A HISTORY OF SHEAFFER PEN AND WALTER A. SHEAFFER ITS FOUNDER, published by the company itself; until noted otherwise this should be considered the source of the info.
  12. as indicated by some December 1914 advertisements.
  13. as reported in this page.
  14. as reported by Steve Hull in his book "The English fountain pen industry 1875 - 1975".
  15. as for most of the italian manufacturers many dates are just guessed, referring more to a period than to a specific year, like the first or second half of a decade, or its mid the beginning or end; for more detail just look at chronology on the Montegrappa page.
  16. Aurora chronology, where not otherwise reported, refers to the book La storia della Aurora dal 1919 ai giorni nostri by Luca de Ponti.
  17. as the archive of the company was destroyed in 1942 after the bombing of their headquarters, many Columbus date are just guessed, referring more to a period than to a specific year, like the first or second half of a decade, or its mid the beginning or end; for more detail just look at chronology on the Columbus page.
  18. a Pelikan brochure refers to 1926 while Werner Rüttinger talks about 1924, but the brochure refers to 1957 for the two chicks logo, so probably (see also this thread) the brochure refers to a generic year of use and not to the introduction, therefore we choose to use the Werner Rüttinger year.
  19. all dates referring to features or models introduction for the Ancora pens are guessed and marked as such, because there are no catalogs or listings with clear data; so the cited year is always an approximation, referring to a wider time period (with two year less or more than the used value).
  20. Luca de Ponti reports the 1927 end, Letizia Jacopini reports around 1929, a flyer for the "Esposizione di Torino" in 1928 with celluloid models leads to take as correct the first date.
  21. All-American models are shown in the 1930-31 Conklin catalog.
  22. the date is taken from the change of name that took place on the monthly advertisements on the Illustrazione Italiana in mid-September 1930.
  23. from trademark registration.
  24. following De Ponti and Iacopini, Lastruccio and Lambrou (unreliable) tell 1930.
  25. although on this page is indicated 1934 this advertising of 1933 clearly shows a clip marked "Edacoto".
  26. the exact year is not known, it's only known that it is later than the faceted version.
  27. refers to application for the Radius trademark, done with this name.
  28. L. Jacopini in La storia della stilografica in Italia talks about 1938, but G. Fichera notes that the advertizements talks about the Regno d'Italia, so they must be before 1936.
  29. as indicated here.
  30. referring to the introduction of faceted models, probably the first to use this name.
  31. as reported by Richard Binder on this page who also reports a subsequent production, demonstrated by the presence of a model with a 1938 dating code.
  32. referring to the catalog showed in this discussion.
  33. using the date indicated by Luca De Ponti, Letizia Jacopini speaks of the mid '30s.
  34. as indicated by Letizia Jacopini in her book "The history of the fountain pen in Italy".
  35. as reported in this page.
  36. in cette page David Nishimura indicates 1936, but the earliest known advertisements are from 1937, and in this it appears among the novelties.
  37. according to Martin Lehemann, see this page.
  38. date is taken from an article published on "Illustrazione Italiana", in an insert dedicated to autarkic productions, published as supplement to N. 17 of 1938, which reported the news that the production in the new plant in Arona would be starting in days.
  39. given based on the trademark registration date (Reg. Gen. N. 60764).
  40. indicated by Letizia Jacopini.
  41. as indicated by Letizia Jacopini in her book "The history of the fountain pen in Italy".
  42. 42,0 42,1 42,2 42,3 indicative, after this catalogue, but due to the prevailing presence of steel nibs, the model was certainly produced during the war.
  43. supposed few time after S.I.S.A. foundation
  44. lower limit, as shown by this AD.
  45. on the historical section of the company's website is quoted this date, but others (such as Letizia Jacopini in La Storia della Stilografica in Italia 1900-1950) report 1948, lower limit given by this invoice.
  46. for this date we referes to what stated by Emilio Dolcini in his book on the company.
  47. for this date we referes to what stated by Emilio Dolcini in his book on the company.
  48. as reported in this page.
  49. as reported in this page.
  50. according to Dittmer and Lehemann.
  51. taking as reference questa pagina.
  52. as reported in this page.
  53. date uncertain and not confirmed.
  54. as reported in this page.
  55. we use the one indicated as official by Richard Binder in this article.