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The [[Wahl Eversharp]] was born in [[1914]] as ''The Wahl Company'', following the decision of the ''Wahl Adding Machine'' (a company born in [[1905]] that produced mechanical calculators) to expand its activities. This is one of the few cases in the early history of fountain pen of the century in which a producer of success starts from a company decision to expand into another business sector making an investment, and not from the commercial exploitation of an invention.

The [[Wahl Eversharp]] was born in [[1914]] as ''The Wahl Company'', following the decision of the ''Wahl Adding Machine'' (a company born in [[1905]] that produced mechanical calculators) to expand its activities. This is one of the few cases in the early history of fountain pen of the century in which a producer of success starts from a company decision to expand into another business sector making an investment, and not from the commercial exploitation of an invention.

The [[Wahl Eversharp]] activities in the  writing instruments field began in 1914 with the launch of ''Eversharp'' mechanical pencil. For many times it was said that that was the same as the ''Ever-Sharp'' pencil created by the Japanese inventor Tokuji Hayakawa, that two years earlier had founded in Tokyo a homonym company, today still active as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Corporation Sharp]. But [http://www.vintagepens.com/Eversharp_history.htm subsequent searches] have shown that the ''Eversharp'' pencil was invented by Charles Keeran (patent {{Cite patent|US|1130741}}) in 1913, and then the invention was sold for production to the ''Wahl Adding Machine''.

The [[Wahl Eversharp]] activities in the  writing instruments field began in 1914 with the launch of ''Eversharp'' mechanical pencil. For many times it was said that that was the same as the ''Ever-Sharp'' pencil created by the Japanese inventor Tokuji Hayakawa, that two years earlier had founded in Tokyo a homonym company, today still active as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Corporation Sharp]. But [http://www.vintagepens.com/Eversharp_history.htm subsequent searches] have shown that the ''Eversharp'' pencil was invented by Charles Keeran (patent {{Cite patent|US|1130741}}) in 1913, and then the invention was sold for production to the ''Wahl Adding Machine''.

In [[1917]], continuing with its expansion policy, [[Wahl Eversharp]] acquired the ''[[Boston Fountain Pen Company]]'', a company that already started producing good hard rubber fountain pen characterized by a wheel clip. The pens were market branded ad [[Wahl Eversharp|Wahl]], promoting them as capable to alleviate the wear on the edges of the pockets thanks to their peculiar ''[[Roller Clip]]''.

In [[1917]], continuing with its expansion policy, [[Wahl Eversharp]] acquired the ''[[Boston Fountain Pen Company]]'', a company that already started producing good hard rubber fountain pen characterized by a wheel clip. The pens were market branded ad [[Wahl Eversharp|Wahl]], promoting them as capable to alleviate the wear on the edges of the pockets thanks to their peculiar ''[[Roller Clip]]''.

The new model, called [[Tempoint]], was a big success and [[Wahl Eversharp]] climbed on top of sales ranking, but the unexpected success involved considerable problems for the production, which was not efficient. That is why the company invested heavily in improving production structures and in [[1921]] launched a new line of metal pens, called [[Wahl Engine Turned|Wahl All Metal Fountain Pen]] for which they have prepared an efficient production line. These pens have not to be confused with an earlier production line, dated between 1919 and 1920, of overlayed metal pens,<ref>As reported in http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?s=aca8536317f4b3a8bae7a3774b333542&showtopic=199</ref> still using the ''[[Roller Clip]]''.

The new model, called [[Tempoint]], was a big success and [[Wahl Eversharp]] climbed on top of sales ranking, but the unexpected success involved considerable problems for the production, which was not efficient. That is why the company invested heavily in improving production structures and in [[1921]] launched a new line of metal pens, called [[Wahl Engine Turned|Wahl All Metal Fountain Pen]] for which they have prepared an efficient production line. These pens have not to be confused with an earlier production line, dated between 1919 and 1920, of overlayed metal pens,<ref>As reported in http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?s=aca8536317f4b3a8bae7a3774b333542&showtopic=199</ref> still using the ''[[Roller Clip]]''.

The attention production efficiency and the intent to pursue a policy of industrial expansion always remain a constant in the history of [[Wahl Eversharp]], as well as the presence of wrong investment decisions, such the one that caused the decline and the end of the company. The first of these misplaced investments was, in 1922, the acquisition of a factory for the production of hard rubber tubes. This led to some of the most beautiful pens in hard rubber ever produced, but the investment was wrong, as it was done just before the advent of celluloid pens.

The attention production efficiency and the intent to pursue a policy of industrial expansion always remain a constant in the history of [[Wahl Eversharp]], as well as the presence of wrong investment decisions, such the one that caused the decline and the end of the company. The first of these misplaced investments was, in 1922, the acquisition of a factory for the production of hard rubber tubes. This led to some of the most beautiful pens in hard rubber ever produced, but the investment was wrong, as it was done just before the advent of celluloid pens.

[[Image:Wahl-Signature-n6.jpg|thumb|left|[[Signature]] models]]

[[Image:Wahl-Signature-n6.jpg|thumb|left|[[Signature]] models]]

[[Image:1927-08-Wahl-Signature-AllMetal.jpg|thumb|Some [[Eversharp]] models from 1927.]]

[[Image:1927-08-Wahl-Signature-AllMetal.jpg|thumb|Some [[Eversharp]] models from 1927.]]

Throughout the first part of '20s the company continued to produce pens in hard rubber, the line [[Tempoint]] was completed in [[1922]], the pens in hard rubber produced since [[1923]] are called frequently by collectors [[Signature]] using the nib name. But despite being produced in many different versions both in style and materials, the company continued to refer to them simply as ''Wahl Pen''. The pens were produced in different sizes depending on the nib, the wheel clip was reserved for models of biggest dimension, for nib measures 4 and 6, while to meet the [[military clip|military regulation]] was introduced a model with a elegant curved clip, welded directly onto the metallic head of the cap, with an elegant tulip shape, which is indicated by collectors as ''[[Tulip Clip]]'', that was produced in two sizes. The pens were made in black or red hard rubber decorated with engravings, which in [[1926]] was added the ''Rosewood'' color.

Throughout the first part of '20s the company continued to produce pens in hard rubber, the line [[Tempoint]] was completed in [[1922]], the pens in hard rubber produced since [[1923]] are called frequently by collectors [[Signature]] using the nib name. But despite being produced in many different versions both in style and materials, the company continued to refer to them simply as ''Wahl Pen''. The pens were produced in different sizes depending on the nib, the wheel clip was reserved for models of biggest dimension, for nib measures 4 and 6, while to meet the [[military clip|military regulation]] was introduced a model with a elegant curved clip, welded directly onto the metallic head of the cap, with an elegant tulip shape, which is indicated by collectors as ''[[Tulip Clip]]'', that was produced in two sizes. The pens were made in black or red hard rubber decorated with engravings, which in [[1926]] was added the ''Rosewood'' color.

Due to the heavy investment made [[Wahl Eversharp]] was late on the field of materials and began production of celluloid colored pens in [[1927]], lagging behind competitors (between the [[Big Four]] only [[Waterman]] was slower to adopt the new material). Initially were introduced only three colors: ''Jade Green'',''Royal Blue'' and ''Coral'' while maintaining the production of hard rubber pens.  

Due to the heavy investment made [[Wahl Eversharp]] was late on the field of materials and began production of celluloid colored pens in [[1927]], lagging behind competitors (between the [[Big Four]] only [[Waterman]] was slower to adopt the new material). Initially were introduced only three colors: ''Jade Green'',''Royal Blue'' and ''Coral'' while maintaining the production of hard rubber pens.  

The next year the company completely redesigned its line of products, going almost totally to celluloid, also for the Black and the ''Rosewood'' colors, and introducing the new ''Black Pearl'' color; but some of the new models still made in hard rubber can be found. The big novelty however was a revolutionary mechanism that permit to use different kinf of nibs on the same pen, called ''[[Personal Point]]''. Up to 14 different nib types were available, which, thanks to a screw mechanism, could be mounted directly on the pen by the dealer.  

The next year the company completely redesigned its line of products, going almost totally to celluloid, also for the Black and the ''Rosewood'' colors, and introducing the new ''Black Pearl'' color; but some of the new models still made in hard rubber can be found. The big novelty however was a revolutionary mechanism that permit to use different kinf of nibs on the same pen, called ''[[Personal Point]]''. Up to 14 different nib types were available, which, thanks to a screw mechanism, could be mounted directly on the pen by the dealer.

[[Image:GoldSeal.jpg|thumb|left|The mark of ''[[Gold Seal]]'' life-warranty.]]

[[Image:GoldSeal.jpg|thumb|left|The mark of ''[[Gold Seal]]'' life-warranty.]]

That is why in [[1940]] the company did a complete restructuring, the ''Wahl Company'' was merged with the subsidiary becoming the ''Eversharp Inc.'' and the direction was entrusted Martin Strauss who in [[1941]] launched the new [[Skyline]] model. Again company distinguished itself by the revolutionary design of this pen, entrusted to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Dreyfuss Henry Dreyfuss] design, and thanks to a successful promotional campaign, the [[Skyline]] realized strong sales, bringing another time ''Eversharp'' at the top of the market; but it was also the last successful model produced by the company.  

That is why in [[1940]] the company did a complete restructuring, the ''Wahl Company'' was merged with the subsidiary becoming the ''Eversharp Inc.'' and the direction was entrusted Martin Strauss who in [[1941]] launched the new [[Skyline]] model. Again company distinguished itself by the revolutionary design of this pen, entrusted to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Dreyfuss Henry Dreyfuss] design, and thanks to a successful promotional campaign, the [[Skyline]] realized strong sales, bringing another time ''Eversharp'' at the top of the market; but it was also the last successful model produced by the company.  

In [[1943]], in an attempt to follow the success of the [[Parker 51]], was introduced [[Fifth Avenue]], a plastic model with [[hooded nib]], which unlike the [[51]] had limited success. The bulk of sales remained that of [[Skyline]] so that in [[1946]] the line [[Fifth Avenue]] was retired. Despite the company was solid, the [[Eversharp]] was again facing a period of decline.

In [[1943]], in an attempt to follow the success of the [[Parker 51]], was introduced [[Fifth Avenue]], a plastic model with [[hooded nib]], which unlike the [[51]] had limited success. The bulk of sales remained that of [[Skyline]] so that in [[1946]] the line [[Fifth Avenue]] was retired. Despite the company was solid, the [[Eversharp]] was again facing a period of decline.

Ironically it was the decision to invest heavily on technical innovation over a revolutionary invention, the ballpoint pen, to inflict a mortal blow to the company. In [[1945]] the [[Eversharp]] began to take an interest in the development of the ballpoint pen acquiring the rights to use the ''Biro''  pen the by Argentine producer  ''Eterpen Co.'', but before the launch of its ''CA (Capillary Action)'' another company, the  ''Reynold's International Pen Company'' put on the market another ballpoint pen. That gave rise to a furious legal battle, that was lost since the invention was already covered by an expired patent from 1888.

Ironically it was the decision to invest heavily on technical innovation over a revolutionary invention, the ballpoint pen, to inflict a mortal blow to the company. In [[1945]] the [[Eversharp]] began to take an interest in the development of the ballpoint pen acquiring the rights to use the ''Biro''  pen the by Argentine producer  ''Eterpen Co.'', but before the launch of its ''CA (Capillary Action)'' another company, the  ''Reynold's International Pen Company'' put on the market another ballpoint pen. That gave rise to a furious legal battle, that was lost since the invention was already covered by an expired patent from 1888.