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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Wahl Eversharp}}[[Image:Logo-Wahl.svg|center|300px|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]].{{Infobox_Brand|Eversharp}}{{BrandData|Founder=John C. Wahl|Date=1914|ProdDate=1917|Place=Chicago|Country=US|Fullname=The Wahl Company}}
== 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 [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]], 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 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.

[[File:Wahl-Signature-OS-Series-Capped.jpg|thumb|left|Some [[Wahl Signature|Signature]] models]]

[[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 [[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.

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.

[[Image:GoldSeal.jpg|thumb|left|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 [[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.

[[File:Wahl-DecoBand-ColorSeries-Capped.jpg|thumb|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, [[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.

[[Image:1931-12-Doric-Sets-Desk-Right.jpg|thumb|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.

[[Image:InkShutOff.jpg|left|thumb|''[[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]],<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.

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, 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 [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]].

==External references==
* [http://www.pensburymanor.com/] Website dedicated to the company, many photos, with some unique models.
* [http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Eversharp/WahlEversharp.htm] Chronology and articles index about the company in the Jim Mamoulides website.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eversharp] Wikipedia page about the company
* [http://www.billspens.com/billspens/eversharp/eversharp.htm] Brand page on Bill Aker website.
* [http://www.pendemonium.com/pens_eversharp.htm] An article on the early history.
* [http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/eversharp.html] An article on the brand.
* [http://www.rickconner.net/penoply/we.0.html] An article on the brand.
* [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/36935-kingswood/] Discussion about  links with [[Kingswood]].
* [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/196033-eversharp-in-the-uk/] Discussion on the English production.
==Notes== 
<references/>

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