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[[Image:Logo-Wahl.svg|center|300px|Wahl-Eversharp Logo]]
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Wahl Eversharp}}[[Image:Logo-Wahl.svg|center|300px|Wahl-Eversharp Logo]]
  
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The [[Wahl Eversharp]] was founded as pens manufacturer in 1917, but in reality the company was founded in [[1914]] when the ''Wahl Adding Machine'' decided to expand and spearhead the first in the world of mechanical pencils, and then what of fountain pen. The company continued its activity until the crisis of the '50s. Activities stopped in [[1957]], when the division which produced the pens was bought by [[Parker]].
  
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La [[Eversharp|Wahl Eversharp]] nasce come produttore di penne nel 1917, ma in realtà la compagnia venne fondata nel 1914 quando la ''Wahl Adding Machine'' decise di espandersi lanciandosi prima nel mondo delle matite meccaniche, e poi in quello delle stilografiche. La ditta proseguì la sua attività fino alla crisi degli anni '50. Cessò le attività nel 1957, quando la divisione che produceva le penne venne comprata dalla [[Parker]].
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Despite [[Wahl Eversharp]] has not distinguished itself in the fountain pens history for turning point technical innovations it has always produced very high quality pens of the best level. The characteristic for which the [[Eversharp]] has shone in fact was the design, producing, at the apex of his success, some of the most beautiful pens ever made and distinguished by the wonderful achievements in Art Deco style. Thanks to remarkable success from its golden years it will be fully included, though in position less important than the other, between the [[Big Four]].{{Infobox_Brand|Eversharp}}{{BrandData|Founder=John C. Wahl|Date=1914|ProdDate=1917|Place=Chicago|Country=US|Fullname=The Wahl Company}}
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== History ==
  
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Nonostante la [[Eversharp|Wahl Eversharp]] non si sia contraddistinta nel mondo delle stilografiche per l'introduzione di sostanziali innovazioni tecniche essa ha sempre prodotto penne di grande qualità ed ottime finiture. La caratteristica per cui la [[Eversharp]] ha brillato infatti è stato lo stile, producendo, agli apici del suo successo, alcune fra le più belle penne mai realizzate e distinguendosi per le bellissime realizzazioni in stile Art Decò. Grazie al notevole successo riscosso dall'azienda nei suoi anni d'oro essa rientra a pieno titolo, anche se in posizione meno rilevante rispetto alle altre, fra le [[Big Four]].
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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.
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{{Infobox_Marca|Eversharp}}
 
  
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== Storia ==
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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''.
  
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La [[Eversharp|Wahl Eversharp]], in seguito nota semplicemente come [[Eversharp]], nacque come tale nel 1914, a seguito della decisione della ''Wahl Adding Machine'' (una ditta che produceva calcolatrici meccaniche fin dal 1905 circa) di espandere le sue attività. Si tratta di uno dei pochi casi nella storia delle stilografiche di inizio secolo in cui un produttore di successo nasce dalla decisione di una azienda di espandersi in un altro settore di attività effettuando un investimento su una azienda già presente, e non dallo sfruttamento commerciale di una qualche invenzione.
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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]], promoving them as capable to alleviate the wear on the edges of the pockets thanks to their peculiar ''[[Roller Clip]]''.
  
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La attività della [[Eversharp]] nel campo degli strumenti di scrittura iniziò nel 1914 con il lancio della omonima matita meccanica. A lungo si era pensato che si trattasse della matita ''Ever-Sharp'' creata dall'inventore giapponese Tokuji Hayakawa che due anni prima aveva fondato a Tokyo una omonima compagnia, oggi ancora attiva semplicemente come [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Corporation Sharp]. In realtà [http://www.vintagepens.com/Eversharp_history.htm successive ricerche] han dimostrato che la matita ''Eversharp'' era stata inventata da Charles Keeran nel 1913, che poi cedette la produzione alla ''Wahl Adding Machine''.
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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]]''.
  
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Nel 1917, proseguendo con la sua politica di espansione, la [[Eversharp|Wahl Eversharp]] acquisì la ''[[Boston Pen Company]]'', una ditta già avviata che produceva delle buone stilografiche in ebanite caratterizzate da una [[Roller Clip|clip a rotellina]]. Le penne vennero commercializzate con marchio [[Eversharp|Wahl]], promuovendole per la caratteristica di alleviare l'usura degli orli dei taschini grazie alla peculiare ''[[Roller Clip]]''.
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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.
  
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Il successo del nuovo modello, denominato [[Tempoint]], fu grande e la [[Eversharp|Wahl Eversharp]] salì in cima alla classifica delle vendite, ma il successo inaspettato comportò notevoli problemi per la produzione, che non era efficiente. Per questo la compagnia investì pesantemente nel miglioramento delle strutture produttive e nel 1921 lanciò una nuova linea di penne in metallo, chiamate [[Wahl Engine Turned|Wahl All Metal Fountain Pen]] per la quale aveva predisposto un apparato produttivo all'avanguardia in termini di efficienza nella produzione. Queste penne non sono da confondersi con una produzione anteriore, pare databile fra il 1919 ed il 1920, di penne [[overlay|rivestite]] in metallo,<ref>secondo quanto riportato in [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=199 questa discussione].</ref> riconoscibili per la presenza della ''Roller Clip''.
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[[File:Wahl-Signature-OS-Series-Capped.jpg|thumb|left|Some [[Wahl Signature|Signature]] models]]
  
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L'attenzione agli aspetti della produzione e l'intento di perseguire una politica di espansione industriale resteranno sempre una costante nella storia della [[Eversharp|Wahl Eversharp]], così come la presenza di investimenti tutt'altro che azzeccati, come quello che alla fine causò il declino e la fine dell'azienda. Il primo di questi investimenti sbagliati fu, nel 1922, l'acquisizione di una fabbrica di [[ebanite]] per migliorare la produzione della propria linea di penne. Questo portò ad alcune delle più belle penne in ebanite mai prodotte, ma si rivelò poco azzeccato, dato che venne fatto proprio alla vigilia del boom delle penne in [[celluloide]].
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[[Image:1927-08-Wahl-Signature-AllMetal.jpg|thumb|Some [[Eversharp]] models from 1927.]]
  
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[[Image:Wahl-Signature-n6.jpg|thumb|left|Modelli [[Signature]]]]
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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 [[Wahl Signature|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.
  
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[[Image:1927-08-Wahl-Signature-AllMetal.jpg|thumb|Alcuni modelli [[Eversharp]] del 1927.]]
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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.
  
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Per tutta la prima parte degli anni '20 l'azienda continuò a produrre penne in ebanite, la linea [[Tempoint]] venne terminata nel 1922, le penne in ebanite prodotte dal 1923 sono chiamate spesso dai collezionisti [[Signature]] utilizzando il nome del pennino. Ma pur essendo prodotte in diverse versioni anche molto diverse fra loro l'azienda continuò a fare riferimento ad esse semplicemente come ''Wahl Pen''. Le penne erano prodotte in diverse misure a seconda del pennino, in particolare la clip a rotellina era riservata ai modelli di maggior dimensione di misure 4 e 6, mentre per soddisfare i [[military clip|regolamenti militari]] venne introdotto un modello con una elegante clip curva, saldata direttamente sulla testa in metallo del cappuccio, con una elegante forma a tulipano, che viene indicato dai collezionisti come ''[[Tulip Clip]]'', prodotto in due misure. Le penne erano realizzate in ebanite nera o rossa decorata con incisioni a greca, a cui nel 1926 si aggiunse il colore ''Rosewood''.
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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.  
  
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A causa del pesante investimento effettuato la [[Eversharp|Wahl Eversharp]] rimase indietro sul campo dei materiali ed iniziò la produzione di penne in celluloide colorata nel 1927, in ritardo rispetto alle concorrenti (fra le [[Big Four]] solo la [[Waterman]] fu più lenta ad adottare il nuovo materiale). Inizialmente vennero introdotti solo tre colori: ''Jade Green'', ''Royal Blue'' e ''Coral'', mantenendo in produzione anche le penne in ebanite.  
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[[Image:GoldSeal.jpg|thumb|left|The mark of ''[[Gold Seal]]'' life-warranty.]]
  
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L'anno successivo l'azienda ristrutturò completamente la sua linea di prodotti, passando quasi totalmente alla celluloide anche per il nero ed il ''Rosewood'' ed introducendo anche il ''Pearl Black''; qualche esemplare dei nuovi modelli realizzato ancora in ebanite può essere trovato. La novità maggiore però era costituita da un rivoluzionario pennino intercambiabile, denominanto ''[[Personal Point]]'', disponibile in 14 gradazioni diverse, che, grazie ad un meccanismo a vite, poteva essere montato direttamente sulla penna dal rivenditore.  
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The same year was also introduced a warranty for life called ''[[Gold Seal]]'', recognizable by the mark shown in the figure, as a response to the [[Sheaffer]] ''[[White dot]]''. The ''[[Gold Seal]]'' remained in use, with some variation in size, on every model produced by [[Eversharp|Wahl Eversharp]] until the [[Skyline]]. The mark is made by two check signs to form  a "W" that remind the name of the company. It happens sometimes to find pens in which the ''Gold Seal'' presents a hole, this is not considered a flaw because it was the company that carried out the drilling  to mark the lack of guarantee for the models put into liquidation.  
  
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[[Image:GoldSeal.jpg|thumb|left|Il marchio di garanzia a vita ''[[Gold Seal]]''.]]
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[[File:Wahl-DecoBand-ColorSeries-Capped.jpg|thumb|A [[Deco Band]] series]]
  
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Lo stesso anno venne introdotto anche il marchio di garanzia a vita ''[[Gold Seal]]'', illustrato in figura, come risposta al ''[[White dot]]'' della [[Sheaffer]], che resterà in uso, con qualche variazione nelle dimesioni, anche su tutti i modelli successivi fino alla [[Skyline]]. Il marchio è contraddistinto da due segni di spunta che vanno a creare una "W" che richiama il nome dell'azienda. Accade talvolta di trovare penne in cui il ''[[Gold Seal]]'' presenta un forellino; non si tratta propriamente un difetto in quanto la stessa azienda effettuava una trapanatura del sigillo per marcare l'assenza della garanzia per i modelli messi in liquidazione.  
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Still in [[1928]] was added to the models line a new large pen, made in an ''art deco'' style and characterized by a band decorated with a greek motif, called by all collectors [[Deco Band]]. Initially the pen was produced in celluloid in the ''Jade Green'', ''Royal Blue'', ''Rosewood'', ''Black Pearl'' and ''Jet Black'' colours, but there are some rare hard rubber versions in black and also red (extremely rare) engraved with a greek motif. In [[1930]] then was introduced the new ''Brazilian Green'' color, but the new pen, still mantaining the same dimensions, also had a different cap band.
  
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[[Image:DecoBand-Series.jpg|thumb|Serie completa di [[Deco Band]].]]
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In [[1929]], with the success of the ''[[Streamlined]]'' style  introduced by [[Sheaffer]] with his [[Balance]] model, [[Eversharp|Wahl Eversharp]] launched the [[Equipoised]] model, with slender form. The first version of the pen, for its excessive similarity with the [[Balance]], was restyled almost immediately, to reach its final form, which had streamlined body and cap ended by a conical shape, in [[1930]]. It was produced in the same colors of the celluloid [[Deco Band]], but there are some rare color like ''Oxblood'' (blood red and black, called also ''Flamingo'') and ''Bumblebee'' (yellow and black or yellow and blue), used mainly in desk sets and ladies pens.
  
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Sempre nel 1928 venne aggiunta ai modelli fino ad allora prodotti una nuova penna di grandi dimensioni, realizzata in stile Art Decò e caratterizzata da una banda decorata con una greca, chiamata da tutti i collezionisti [[Deco Band]]. Prodotta inizialmente in celluloide nei colori ''Jade Green'', ''Royal Blue'', ''Rosewood'', ''Pearl Black'' e ''Jet Black'', e nelle versioni in ebanite nera e rossa decorate con un motivo a greche (estremamente rare, in particolar modo la rossa), vide nel 1930 l'introduzione del ''Brazilian Green''.
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[[Image:1931-12-Doric-Sets-Desk-Right.jpg|thumb|Advertising for the [[Doric]] model in 1931.]]
  
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Nel 1929, con il successo delle forme affusolate, il cosiddetto stile ''[[Streamlined]]'' introdotto dalla [[Balance]] della [[Sheaffer]], venne lanciato il modello [[Equipoised]], con forma slanciata. La prima versione della penna, che per la sua eccessiva somiglianza con la [[Balance]], venne ristilizzata quasi immediatamente, per raggiungere la sua forma finale, che vede corpo e cappuccio affusolati e terminati da fondelli di forma conica, soltanto nel 1930. La penna venne prodotta negli stessi colori delle [[Deco Band]] in celluloide, ma esistono alcuni colori più rari come il ''Tunis'' o il ricercatissimo ''Oxblood'' (un rosso sangue e nero chiamato anche ''Flamingo'') o il ''Bumblebee'' (giallo e nero, o giallo e blu scuro). Per un riassunto dei colori usati dall-azienda si consulti comunque la [[Colori Wahl Eversharp|relativa pagina]].
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But the real masterpiece of [[Wahl Eversharp]] was born in [[1931]]: the [[Doric]] a celluloid multifaceted pen, in pure Art Deco style, which is said to be inspired by the columns of Greek temples. The new pen, one of the most beautiful pens ever built, was made of celluloid, in five colors with exotic names, ''Kashmir'', ''Morocco'', ''Cathay'', ''Burma'' and the classic ''Jed Black''. To those was added, although it did not appear in advertising and was produced only for a very short period, the ''Black & Pearl'', which therefore is very rare.
  
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[[Image:1931-12-Doric-Sets-Desk.jpg|thumb|Pubblicità del modello [[Doric]].]]
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In the same year, the [[Wahl Eversharp]] also launched an economic sub-brand, the [[Oxford]], still made in celluloid and using gold nibs. These pens, although economic, are almost of good quality and had an excellent value for money. For most of the '30s the production of [[Eversharp]] is dominated by the [[Doric]] and will see the introduction of the [[Adjustable Point]] nib in [[1932]], a redesign of the pen in [[1935]] and the introduction of  the ''[[Ink Shut-off]]'' mechanism in [[1936]], which was also adopted by the new model [[Coronet]], another Art Deco masterpiece.
  
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Ma il vero capolavoro della [[Eversharp|Wahl Eversharp]] verrà alla luce nel 1931: la [[Doric]], in celluloide sfaccettata, in puro stile art Decò, che si diceva ispirarsi alle colonne dei templi greci. La nuova penna, una delle più belle penne mai costruite, venne realizzata in celluloide in cinque colori dai nomi esotici, ''Kashmir'', ''Morocco'', ''Cathay'', ''Burma'' ed il classico ''Jed Black''. A questo si aggiunse, anche se non compariva nelle pubblicità ed è stato prodotto soltanto per un periodo molto breve, il ''Pearl Black'', che pertanto è molto raro.
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[[Image:InkShutOff.jpg|left|thumb|''[[Ink Shut-off]]'' scheme.]]
  
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Nello stesso anno la [[Eversharp|Wahl Eversharp]] lanciò anche una linea economica, la [[Oxford]], sempre in celluloide, e con pennino d'oro. Queste penne, pur essendo economiche, sono quasi sempre penne di buona fattura e all'epoca avevano un ottimo rapporto qualità/prezzo. Per buona parte degli anni '30 la produzione della [[Eversharp]] è dominata dalla [[Doric]] e vedrà l'introduzione del pennino gradabile nel 1932, un redesign della penna nel 1935 e l'introduzione del meccanismo dell'''Ink Shut-off'' nel 1936, che venne adottato poi anche dal nuovo modello [[Coronet]], altro capolavoro dell'Art Decò.
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The ''[[Ink Shut-off]]'', illustrated in the figure, was just another wrong investment: promoted as a mechanism capable to block the flow of the ink form the pen when the pen was closed, to prevent leaks because of pressure changes, (as was the case with air travel, which was booming at the time) it was indeed ineffective, so that the company was forced to withdraw it from the market by an order from the Federal Trade Commission.
  
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[[Image:InkShutOff.jpg|left|thumb|Schema dell'''[[Ink Shut-off]]''.]]
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Around [[1935]],<ref>one appears in this [[:File:1936-12-Wahl-Doric.jpg|french advertisement]] dated December 1936 but in a 1935 catalog showed in [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/240156-my-1550-eversharp-mystery-pen/ this discussion] a [[plunger filler]] [[Round Doric]] is shown.</ref> following another innovation made by [[Sheaffer]] after [[Vacumatic]] launch, were also introduced new [[Doric]] models with transparent body and new filling system (called ''[[plunger filler]]''), the same filling system was adopted even for some [[Vacuum Model|economic models]], similar to the [[Doric]] but produced in round smooth celluloid. In the late 30's, despite the introduction of other economic models such as [[Pacemaker]] and [[Air-lite]] the [[Wahl Eversharp]] was constantly losing market share.
  
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L'''[[Ink Shut-off]]'', illustrato nella figura, fu un'altro degli investimenti poco azzeccati dell'azienda: promosso come un meccanismo che permetteva di bloccare l'afflusso di inchiostro al pennino quando la penna era chiusa per impedirne l'uscita in caso di depressione, (come accadeva nei viaggi aerei, allora in forte espansione) era in effetti poco efficace, tanto che l'azienda fu forzata a ritirarlo dal mercato dalla Federal Trade Commission.
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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.  
  
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Nel '37, seguendo di nuovo una innovazione della [[Sheaffer]], vennero introdotti anche dei modelli di [[Doric]] con corpo trasparente e riempimento a [[siringa rovesciata]] (denominato ''Plunger Filler''), lo stesso caricamento venne adottato anche per dei [[Vacuum Model|modelli economici]], simili alla [[Doric]] ma prodotti in versione liscia. Alla fine degli anni '30, nonostante l'introduzione di altri modelli economici come la [[Pacemaker]] e la [[Air-lite]] la [[Eversharp|Wahl Eversharp]] continuò costantemente a perdere quote di mercato.
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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, Eversharp was again facing a period of decline.
  
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Per questo motivo nel 1940 la compagnia dette vita ad una completa ristrutturazione, ''Wahl Company'' si fuse con la sussidiaria ''Eversharp Inc.'' e la conduzione venne affidata Martin Strauss che lanciò nel 1941 la nuova linea [[Skyline]], di nuovo distinguendosi per la particolarità del design della penna, affidato ad [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Dreyfuss Henry Dreyfuss], e per una campagna promozionale di successo. La [[Skyline]] realizzò forti vendite, riportando la [[Eversharp]] ai vertici del mercato, ma questo è stato anche l'ultimo dei modelli di successo dell'azienda.  
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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.
  
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Nel 1943, nel tentativo di seguire il successo della [[51]] della [[Parker]], venne introdotta la [[Fifth Avenue]], un modello realizzato in plastica e con pennino coperto, che al contrario della [[51]] ebbe scarso successo. Il grosso delle vendite restava quello della [[Skyline]] tanto che nel 1946 la linea [[Fifth Avenue]] venne dismessa. Nonostante la compagnia fosse solida, la [[Eversharp]] si trovò di nuovo ad affrontare un periodo di declino.
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Despite this, the ''Eversharp'' launched the new ballpoint pen in [[1946]], obtaining good results in the short time, but the success was brief and immediately unleashed a price war with competitors. Also in a brief time it became clear that the new technology was immature: most of these ballpoint pens in fact worked in a partial way and ''Eversharp'' had to bear huge costs for pens returned back in warranty, which involved large losses due to the strong investments made both for the advertising campaign and for the creation of the production facilities for the new pen.
  
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Paradossalmente fu proprio la decisione di investire massicciamente su una innovazione tecnica all'epoca rivoluzionaria, quella della penna a sfera, ad infliggere un colpo mortale alla ditta. Nel 1945 la [[Eversharp]] iniziò ad interessarsi allo sviluppo della penna a sfera acquisendo i diritti di sfruttamento della penna ''Biro'' dal produttore argentino, la ''Eterpen Co.'' ma prima del lancio della sua ''CA (Capillary Action)'' un'altra ditta la ''Reynold's International Pen Company'' immise sul mercato un'altra penna a sfera. La cosa diede origine ad una furiosa battaglia legale che però non ebbe esiti dato che l'invenzione era già coperta da un brevetto, scaduto, del 1888.
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The failed investment in the ballpoint pen production was a fatal blow to the finances of the company, it sought a revival back in its  fountain pen traditional market, and in [[1948]] commissioned to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Loewy Raymond Loewy], a famous designer, the creation of a new pen, the [[Symphony]] model. But even this model did not had a great success and ''Eversharp'' went gradually waning as its profits. The company ended up liquidating the production division to [[Parker]] in [[1957]]. After that date only traces of the brand remain in the market, at the end of the '50s, for some economic pens made for [[Parker]].
  
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Nonostante questo la [[Eversharp]] lanciò in grande stile la nuova penna a sfera nel 1946, ottenendo nell'immediato buoni risultati, ma il successo fu breve e si scatenò immediatamente una guerra sui prezzi con i concorrenti. Inoltre in breve fu evidente che la nuova tecnologia era immatura: la gran parte di queste penne a sfera infatti funzionavano in maniera parziale e la [[Eversharp]] dovette sostenere enormi spese per riprendere indietro penne in garanzia, il che comportò grandi perdite a causa dei forti investimenti effettuati sia per la campagna pubblicitaria che per la creazione degli impianti di produzione della nuova penna.
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{{BrandChrono|Eversharp}}
  
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L'investimento fallito nella produzione della penna a sfera fu un colpo fatale per le finanze della compagnia; essa cercò un rilancio tornando nel più consolidato mercato della penna stilografica, e nel 1948 commissionò a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Loewy Raymond Loewy], un famoso stilista, il disegno di una nuova stilografica la [[Symphony]]; anche questa però non ebbe un gran successo e le fortune della [[Eversharp]] andarono progressivamente scemando, come i suoi profitti, fino alla liquidazione della divisione produttiva alla [[Parker]] nel 1957. Dopo tale data restano solo tracce del marchio nella produzione, a fine anni '50, di alcune penne economiche per la [[Parker]].
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==External references==
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* [http://www.pensburymanor.com/] Website dedicated to the company, many photos, with some unique models.
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{{CronoMarche}}
+
* [http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Eversharp/WahlEversharp.htm] Chronology and articles index about the company in the Jim Mamoulides website.
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|-
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eversharp] Wikipedia page about the company
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| 1905 || Nascita della ''Wahl Adding Machine Co.''
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* [http://www.billspens.com/billspens/eversharp/eversharp.htm] Brand page on Bill Aker website.
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|-
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* [http://www.pendemonium.com/pens_eversharp.htm] An article on the early history.
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| 1914 || Introdotta la matita meccanica ''Eversharp''
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* [http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/eversharp.html] An article on the brand.
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|-
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* [http://www.rickconner.net/penoply/we.0.html] An article on the brand.
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| 1917 || Acquisizione della ''Boston Pen Company''
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* [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/36935-kingswood/] Discussion about  links with [[Kingswood]].
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|-
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* [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/196033-eversharp-in-the-uk/] Discussion on the English production.
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| 1917 || Il nome della compagnia diventa ''The Wahl Company''
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==Notes==  
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|-
 
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| 1918 || Introdotta la linea [[Tempoint]] in ebanite
 
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|-
 
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| 1921 || Introdotta la linea [[Whal Pen|Wahl All Metal Fountain Pen]] di penne in metallo
 
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|-
 
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| 1922 || Acquisto della fabbrica di ebanite ''Washington Rubber Co.''
 
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|-
 
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| 1922 || Dismesso il modallo [[Tempoint]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1923 || Continua la produzione di penne in ebanite denominate [[Signature]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1926 || Introdotta l'ebanite ''Rosewood'' (???)
 
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| 1927 || Introdotti i primi modelli in celluloide, nei colori ''Jade Green'', ''Lapis Blue'' e ''Coral Red''.
 
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| 1928 || Introdotti i pennini intercambiabili ''[[Personal Point]]''
 
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| 1928 || Introdotto il marchio di garanzia a vita ''[[Gold Seal]]'',
 
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|-
 
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| 1928 || Introdotto il modello [[Deco Band]]
 
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| 1929 || Introdotto il modello [[Equipoised]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1930 || Introdotta la celluloide nel nuovo colore ''Brasilian Green''
 
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|-
 
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| 1931 || Introdotto il modello [[Doric]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1931 || Introdotta la linea economica [[Oxford]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1932 || Introdotto il modello [[Bantham]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1932 || Introdotto il pennino graduabile ''[[Adjustable Point]]'' (?)
 
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|-
 
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| 1934 || Registrato il brevetto ({{Cite patent|US|1980159}}) per il pennino graduabile ''[[Adjustable Point]]''
 
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| 1936 || Introdotto il modello [[Coronet]]
 
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| 1936 || Introdotto l'''[[Ink Shut-off]]''
 
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| 1937 || Introdotto il caricamento a [[siringa rovesciata]] denominato ''plunger filler''
 
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| 1938 || Introdotto il modello [[Pacemaker]]
 
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| 1938 || Introdotto il modello [[Air-lite]] per le scuole
 
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| 1940 || Il nome della compagnia venne modificato in ''Eversharp Inc.''
 
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| 1940 || Dismesso il modello [[Bantham]]
 
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| 1940 || Registrato il brevetto ({{Cite patent|US|2255093}}) per l'alimentatore ''[[Magic Feed]]''
 
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| 1941 || Introdotto il modello [[Skyline]] creato da [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Dreyfuss Henry Dreyfuss]
 
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| 1941 || Dismessi i modelli [[Doric]], [[Coronet]] e [[Pacemaker]] e la linea [[Oxford]]
 
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| 1943 || Introdotto il modello [[Fifth Avenue]]
 
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| 1945 || Introdotto il primo modello di penna a sfera, la ''CA (Capillary Action)''
 
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|-
 
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| 1945 || Dismesso il modello [[Fifth Avenue]]
 
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| 1948 || Introdotto il modello [[Symphony]], disegnato da [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Loewy Raymond Loewy]
 
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|-
 
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| 1948 || Dismesso il modello [[Skyline]] ?
 
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|-
 
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| 1953 || Introdotto il modello economico [[Ventura]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1953 || Dismesso il modello [[Symphony]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1957 || La divisione strumenti di scrittura della ''Eversharp Inc.'' venne ceduta alla [[Parker]]
 
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|-
 
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|}
 
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{{LegendaModelli}}
 
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|-
 
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| [[Wahl Engine Turned]] || 1921-1928? || Midget, Lady, Junior, Medium, Standard, Large
 
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|-
 
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| [[Deco Band]] || 1928-1931? ||
 
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| [[Doric]] || 1931-1941 ||
 
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|-
 
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| [[Skyline]] || 1940-1948 || Demi, Standard, Executive
 
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|-
 
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|}
 
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==Note==
 
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
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==Riferimenti esterni==
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{{CategorizeBrand|U.S.A.}}
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* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eversharp
 
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* http://www.pendemonium.com/pens_eversharp.htm
 
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* http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/eversharp.html
 
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* http://www.rickconner.net/penoply/we.0.html
 
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* http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Eversharp/WahlEversharp.htm
 
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* http://www.billspens.com/billspens/eversharp/eversharp.htm
 
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* http://www.pensburymanor.com/
 

Versione attuale delle 22:43, 2 ott 2023

Wahl-Eversharp Logo

The Wahl Eversharp was founded as pens manufacturer in 1917, but in reality the company was founded in 1914 when the Wahl Adding Machine decided to expand and spearhead the first in the world of mechanical pencils, and then what of fountain pen. The company continued its activity until the crisis of the '50s. Activities stopped in 1957, when the division which produced the pens was bought by Parker.

Despite Wahl Eversharp has not distinguished itself in the fountain pens history for turning point technical innovations it has always produced very high quality pens of the best level. The characteristic for which the Eversharp has shone in fact was the design, producing, at the apex of his success, some of the most beautiful pens ever made and distinguished by the wonderful achievements in Art Deco style. Thanks to remarkable success from its golden years it will be fully included, though in position less important than the other, between the Big Four.

Eversharp
Brand pages
Brand advertising
Brand photos
Instructions sheet
Other documents
Patents

History

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 Sharp. But subsequent searches have shown that the Eversharp pencil was invented by Charles Keeran (patent nº 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, promoving 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 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,[1] 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.

Some Signature models
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 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.

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 mark of Gold Seal life-warranty.

The same year was also introduced a warranty for life called Gold Seal, recognizable by the mark shown in the figure, as a response to the Sheaffer White dot. The Gold Seal remained in use, with some variation in size, on every model produced by Wahl Eversharp until the Skyline. The mark is made by two check signs to form a "W" that remind the name of the company. It happens sometimes to find pens in which the Gold Seal presents a hole, this is not considered a flaw because it was the company that carried out the drilling to mark the lack of guarantee for the models put into liquidation.

A Deco Band series

Still in 1928 was added to the models line a new large pen, made in an art deco style and characterized by a band decorated with a greek motif, called by all collectors Deco Band. Initially the pen was produced in celluloid in the Jade Green, Royal Blue, Rosewood, Black Pearl and Jet Black colours, but there are some rare hard rubber versions in black and also red (extremely rare) engraved with a greek motif. In 1930 then was introduced the new Brazilian Green color, but the new pen, still mantaining the same dimensions, also had a different cap band.

In 1929, with the success of the Streamlined style introduced by Sheaffer with his Balance model, Wahl Eversharp launched the Equipoised model, with slender form. The first version of the pen, for its excessive similarity with the Balance, was restyled almost immediately, to reach its final form, which had streamlined body and cap ended by a conical shape, in 1930. It was produced in the same colors of the celluloid Deco Band, but there are some rare color like Oxblood (blood red and black, called also Flamingo) and Bumblebee (yellow and black or yellow and blue), used mainly in desk sets and ladies pens.

Advertising for the Doric model in 1931.

But the real masterpiece of Wahl Eversharp was born in 1931: the Doric a celluloid multifaceted pen, in pure Art Deco style, which is said to be inspired by the columns of Greek temples. The new pen, one of the most beautiful pens ever built, was made of celluloid, in five colors with exotic names, Kashmir, Morocco, Cathay, Burma and the classic Jed Black. To those was added, although it did not appear in advertising and was produced only for a very short period, the Black & Pearl, which therefore is very rare.

In the same year, the Wahl Eversharp also launched an economic sub-brand, the Oxford, still made in celluloid and using gold nibs. These pens, although economic, are almost of good quality and had an excellent value for money. For most of the '30s the production of Eversharp is dominated by the Doric and will see the introduction of the Adjustable Point nib in 1932, a redesign of the pen in 1935 and the introduction of the Ink Shut-off mechanism in 1936, which was also adopted by the new model Coronet, another Art Deco masterpiece.

Ink Shut-off scheme.

The Ink Shut-off, illustrated in the figure, was just another wrong investment: promoted as a mechanism capable to block the flow of the ink form the pen when the pen was closed, to prevent leaks because of pressure changes, (as was the case with air travel, which was booming at the time) it was indeed ineffective, so that the company was forced to withdraw it from the market by an order from the Federal Trade Commission.

Around 1935,[2] following another innovation made by Sheaffer after Vacumatic launch, were also introduced new Doric models with transparent body and new filling system (called plunger filler), the same filling system was adopted even for some economic models, similar to the Doric but produced in round smooth celluloid. In the late 30's, despite the introduction of other economic models such as Pacemaker and Air-lite the Wahl Eversharp was constantly losing market share.

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 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, 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.

Despite this, the Eversharp launched the new ballpoint pen in 1946, obtaining good results in the short time, but the success was brief and immediately unleashed a price war with competitors. Also in a brief time it became clear that the new technology was immature: most of these ballpoint pens in fact worked in a partial way and Eversharp had to bear huge costs for pens returned back in warranty, which involved large losses due to the strong investments made both for the advertising campaign and for the creation of the production facilities for the new pen.

The failed investment in the ballpoint pen production was a fatal blow to the finances of the company, it sought a revival back in its fountain pen traditional market, and in 1948 commissioned to Raymond Loewy, a famous designer, the creation of a new pen, the Symphony model. But even this model did not had a great success and Eversharp went gradually waning as its profits. The company ended up liquidating the production division to Parker in 1957. After that date only traces of the brand remain in the market, at the end of the '50s, for some economic pens made for Parker.

Chronology

Year Event
1905 Wahl Adding Machine Co. is founded, is the origin of the company
1914 the company enter the writing instrument market producing the Eversharp pencil
1914 the company is founded by John C. Wahl in Chicago as The Wahl Company
1917 Eversharp acquire the Boston Fountain Pen Company
1917 the company introduces the Tempoint
1921 the company introduces the Wahl Engine Turned
1921 the Tempoint name disappears from the Eversharp catalogs
1923 the company remove PAT. APPL'D FOR stamp on the Wahl Engine Turned
1923 the company introduces the Wahl Signature
1924 the company retires the Tempoint
1925 the company launches the "Fountain Pen Desk Set", probably the first desk pen put on the market
1926 the company introduces the Rosewood hard rubber (???)
1927 the company introduces celluloid models in the Jade Green, Lapis Blue and Coral Red colours
1928 the company introduces the Gold Seal mark for life warranty
1928 the company introduces the Deco Band
1929 the company introduces the Equi-Poised
1929 the company introduces the Personal Point changeable nibs
1929 the company retires the Wahl Engine Turned
1930 the company introduces the Brasilian Green celluloid
1931 the company introduces the Doric
1931 the company introduces the Oxford sub-brand
1932 the company retires the Deco Band
1933 the company introduces the Adjustable Point nibs
1933 the company produce some Bantam with the Century of Progress Exhibition mark
1934 the company patents (nº US-1980159) the Adjustable Point nib
1935 the company introduces the Round Vacuum Model[3]
1935 the company introduces the plunger filler
1935 the company retires the Equi-Poised
1935 the company introduces the Ink Shut-off
1935 the company introduces the Doric second version
1936 the company introduces the Coronet
1938 the company introduces the Pacemaker
1938 the company introduces the Airliner the new top tier Doric variant
1938 the company introduces the Air-lite
1940 the company register the patent (nº US-2255093) for the Magic Feed
1940 the company retires the Bantam
1940 the Wahl Company Co. and Eversharp Inc. are fused into Eversharp Inc.
1941 the company retires the Pacemaker
1941 the company retires the Doric
1941 the company retires the Coronet
1941 the company retires the Oxford line
1941 the company retires the Air-lite
1941 the company introduces the Skyline
1943 the company introduces the Fifth Avenue
1945 the company introduces the CA ballpoint pens starts appearing in the USA market
1946 the company retires the Fifth Avenue
1948 the company retires the Skyline
1948 the company introduces the Envoy
1948 the company introduces the Symphony designed by Raymond Loewy
1949 the company introduces second generation Symphony
1951 the company introduces third generation Symphony
1951 the company introduces the economic versions of Symphony
1953 the company introduces the Ventura
1953 the company retires the Symphony
1953 the company retires the Envoy
1957 the Eversharp writing instrument division is sold to Parker

External references

  • [1] Website dedicated to the company, many photos, with some unique models.
  • [2] Chronology and articles index about the company in the Jim Mamoulides website.
  • [3] Wikipedia page about the company
  • [4] Brand page on Bill Aker website.
  • [5] An article on the early history.
  • [6] An article on the brand.
  • [7] An article on the brand.
  • [8] Discussion about links with Kingswood.
  • [9] Discussion on the English production.

Notes

  1. ↑ As reported in http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?s=aca8536317f4b3a8bae7a3774b333542&showtopic=199
  2. ↑ one appears in this french advertisement dated December 1936 but in a 1935 catalog showed in this discussion a plunger filler Round Doric is shown.
  3. ↑ referring to the catalog showed in this discussion.
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