(This page revised November 6, 2022)
[ Reference Info Index | Glossopedia ]
When were you born? And what pen, if you wanted one, would you use to symbolize your birth year?
Sometimes, it’s really easy to nail a particular pen to a year. Sometimes, it’s not. This article, which was inspired by a thread on Pentrace: The site for fountain pens that write, offers some ideas for finding a pen to remember when you were born. This information is also useful for general reference, serving as a limited timeline for the evolution of the fountain pen from 1921 to the present.
The Easy Ones: Parker’s Date Coded PensParker has made it very easy to date some of their pens. From the 1932/1933 introduction of the Vacumatic until the 1950s, and again beginning in 1980, Parker has imprinted date codes on its pens. Parker’s Date Coding Systems explains the coding systems Parker has used.
The Hard Ones: Everything ElseMost pens have no date codes, and they aren’t so easy to pin to a specific year. There are a few pens here and there that can be nailed down, such as Sheaffer’s Balance in Blue , a color that was produced only in 1932 (and possibly ’31). The obvious approach, it seems, is to identify the year in which a certain pen model was introduced or a point at which the features of a given model changed in a distinctive way, and use that information to locate a pen that might not have been made in a specific year but can at least be dated to a narrow range of years. That’s what the rest of this article will help you do, by presenting a table listing dates and corresponding pen models or features. Most models remained in production for several years; in some cases, I have indicated in colored type the year during which a given model was discontinued. Certain other events are also marked in colored type.
This timeline is a work in progress, and any further suggestions you can offer to help me add to it will be very much appreciated.
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| Year | Pen Models and Features |
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| 1921 | Parker introduces the Duofold as a bandless model in red hard rubber. Wahl introduces the Wahl Pen. |
Wahl Pen, Grecian Border pattern |
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| 1922 | Parker adds the Duofold Junior and the ringtop Lady Duofold to its line. Sheaffer replaces the words SHEAFFER-CLIP on its clips with Sheaffer’S logo. (Wahl Tempoint discontinued.) |
Parker Lady Duofold |
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| 1923 | Conklin introduces the Duragraph. Sheaffer introduces the White Dot. Waterman introduces woodgrain (“mottled”) hard rubber. |
Waterman’s Ideal No 01852 in RMHR |
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| 1924 | Carter’s Ink Company begins manufacture of the Carter’s Pen. Chilton enters the market with its sliding-barrel pneumatic filler. Conklin introduces the Endura. (Conklin Duragraph retired.) |
Chilton pneumatic pen |
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| 1925 | Parker begins converting production to celluloid (Permanite), beginning with the Duofold. (Conklin Crescent-Filler retired.) |
1925–19256 Parker Duofold |
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| 1926 | Parker converts all production to celluloid. Waterman introduces red rippled hard rubber. |
Waterman’s Ideal No 01852 in RRHR |
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| 1927 | Carter’s converts production to celluloid. Waterman introduces two new “Ripple” models, the No 5 and No 7. |
Carter’s Pen in blue celluloid |
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| 1928 | Parker introduces the Three Fifty in Modernistic Blue (“True Blue”). |
Parker “True Blue” |
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| 1929 | Parker introduces the streamlined Duofold. Schnell introduces the Penselpen, the first widely successful combo. Sheaffer introduces the Balance. Wahl introduces the interchangeable-nib Personal-Point. Waterman introduces the Patrician. (Parker Three Fifty retired.) |
First-generation Sheaffer’s Balance |
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| 1930 | Chilton introduces a new model, with an internal sliding pneumatic tube. Conklin introduces the Endura Symetrik. LeBoeuf introduces its sleeve filler. Wahl introduces the Equi-Poised. (Conklin Endura retired.) |
LeBoeuf sleeve filler |
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| 1931 | Conklin introduces the Nozac. Wahl introduces the Doric and Oxford. Waterman introduces the Lady Patricia. |
Wahl Doric (Oversize model, in Burma color) |
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| 1932 | Parker test-markets the Golden Arrow. Sheaffer produces the Balance in Blue (only year for this color). Wahl introduces the Bantam. (Wahl Personal-Point retired.) |
Sheaffer’s Balance 3-25 in Blue |
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| 1933 | Parker introduces the Vacumatic (briefly called the Vacuum-Filler). Some Bantams are imprinted for the 1933–1934 Century of Progress Exhibition. |
Parker Vacumatic Standard |
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| 1934 | Parker introduces the Parkette. |
1934 Parker Parkette |
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| 1935 | Chilton introduces the Wing-flow. Esterbrook introduces its Dollar Pen. Parker introduces the Challenger. Waterman introduces the Ink-Vue. (Parker Duofold retired. Wahl Equi-Poised retired.) |
Chilton Wing-flow |
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| 1936 | Sheaffer introduces a streamlined (“Radius”) clip on the Balance. Wahl introduces the Coronet. Waterman introduces glass-cartridge pens for sale in France. (Waterman Patrician and Lady Patricia retired.) |
Waterman’s glass-cartridge pen, ladies’ model |
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| 1937 | Parker introduces the more-streamlined Speedline Vacumatic. Sheaffer introduces the Model 47, later named the Crest. |
Sheaffer’s Crest |
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| 1938 | Conklin, sold to a Chicago syndicate, introduces the Glider. Wahl introduces the Pacemaker. (Conklin Endura Symetrik and Nozak retired.) |
Eversharp Pacemaker |
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| 1939 | Chilton introduces the Golden Quill. Parker introduces the Geometric (“Toothbrush”) Duofold. Waterman introduces the Hundred Year Pen. Parker introduces the Blue Diamond. (Parker Parkette and Challenger retired.) |
Waterman’s Hundred Year Pen |
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| 1940 | Esterbrook introduces 9000-series iridium-tipped nibs. Eversharp introduces the Skyline. Parker introduces the “striped” (Laidtone) Duofold. Sheaffer introduces the Tuckaway. (Parker Geometric retired. Wahl Bantam retired.) |
1940 Sheaffer’s Tuckaway |
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| 1941 | Parker introduces the “51”. Sheaffer introduces military-clip Balance models. Waterman reverts the Hundred Year Pen to celluloid in anticipation of wartime restrictions on Lucite. (Chilton ceases operation. Wahh-Everhsarp Doric, Coronet, Pacemaker, and Oxford retired.) |
1941 Parker “51” with “Wedding Band” cap |
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| 1942 | Sheaffer introduces the “TRIUMPH” Lifetime, a new line of pens featuring the conical “TRIUMPH” point. Parker restyles the Vacumatic and “51” to eliminate the barrel-end jewel and tassie. (Sheaffer ceases production of all pen models, except the “TRIUMPH” range, for the duration of World War II.) |
Sheaffer’s “TRIUMPH” Lifetime |
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| 1943 | Esterbrook introduces a piston-filling pen (called a “twist” filler) with a streamlined clip. Eversharp introduces the Fifth Avenue/Sixty Four. Waterman renames its Model 515, calling it the Commando. (Sheaffer Balance retired.) |
Eversharp Sixty Four |
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| 1944 | Esterbrook converts its “twist” filler to lever filling, creating the Model J. |
1944 Esterbrook Model J |
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| 1945 | Reynolds introduces the Rocket ballpoint. Eversharp introduces the CA ballpoint. (Both pens are disastrously unreliable.) Waterman introduces the Taperite. |
Waterman’s Taperite Citation |
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| 1946 | Moore introduces the Finger tip. Parker introduces the VS. (Eversharp Fifth Avenue/Sixty Four retired.) |
Moore Finger tip |
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| 1947 | Parker introduces the “51” Demi. Sheaffer introduces the Fineline. |
Sheaffer Fineline, metal cap |
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| 1948 | Esterbrook introduces double-jewel Model J. Eversharp introduces the Raymond Loewy-designed Symphony. Parker converts “51” to Aero-metric filler and introduces the squeeze-filling “21”. (Parker “Striped” Duofold and Vacumatic retired. Eversharp Skyline retired. Conklin ceases operation.) |
Eversharp Symphony |
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| 1949 | Parker introduces the “51” Flighter. Sheaffer introduces the Touchdown. (Parker VS retired.) |
Sheaffer”s Touchdown Sentinel |
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| 1950 | Moore introduces the Specialist. Parker introduces the “41”, “51” Special, and a completely new Parkette. Sheaffer introduces the Touchdown TM (Thin Model). (Sheaffer Tuckaway retired.) |
Moore Specialist |
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| 1951 | (Moore Finger tip retired. Parker “41” retired.) |
| 1952 | Sheaffer introduces the Snorkel. (Parker Parkette retired.) |
Sheaffer’s Snorkel Valiant (Periwinkle color, 1956 on) |
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| 1953 | Eversharp introduces the Ventura (the “Burp” pen). Sheaffer introduces the TIPdip. Waterman introduces the C/F. (Cartridge Filler). (Parker Parkette retired. Sheaffer Fineline retired. Eversharp Symphony retired.) |
Eversharp Ventura |
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| 1954 | (Waterman U.S.A. ceases manufacture.) |
| 1955 | |
| 1956 | Parker introduces the 61. (Moore ceases operation.) |
Parker 61 |
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| 1957 | Sheaffer introduces the Skripsert, a cartridge-filling design produced in a broad variety of models. Waterman introduces the French-made capillary-filling X-Pen. (Eversharp Ventura retired. Parker purchases Eversharp. Waterman U.S.A. ceases operation.) |
Waterman’s X-Pen |
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| 1958 | Sheaffer introduces the Lady Sheaffer, a Skripsert model. |
Lady Sheaffer XII |
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| 1959 | Sheaffer introduces the PFM. (Other Sheaffer Snorkels retired.) |
Sheaffer’s PFM III |
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| 1960 | Parker introduces the 45. |
Parker 45 |
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| 1961 | Sheaffer introduces the PFM-styled Imperial. |
Sheaffer Lifetime 1500 Imperial |
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| 1962 | Parker introduces the VP. |
Parker VP |
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| 1963 | Parker introduces the 75. (Sheaffer again offers a Lifetime warranty, on certain Imperials; TIPdip retired.) |
Parker 75 Sterling Ciselé |
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| 1964 | Parker introduces the Arrow, a 45 variant with a plastic cap. The white “Arrow” imprint, more like a chalk mark than a permanent imprint, rubs off easily, and Parker quickly deletes the Arrow and relaunches it as the 45 CT. (VP retired.) |
Parker Arrow/45 CT |
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| 1965 | (Parker “21” retired.) |
| 1966 | |
| 1967 | |
| 1968 | (Sheaffer PFM retired.) |
| 1969 | Parker introduces the 65. Sheaffer introduces the flat-top economy pen that will be renamed in 1976 to brecomer the No Nonsense. |
Sheaffer No Nonsense |
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| 1970 | Parker introduces the T-1. Sheaffer introduces the Nostalgia. |
Parker T-1 |
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| 1971 | (Parker T-1 retired. Esterbrook ceases operation.) |
| 1972 | |
| 1973 | |
| 1974 | Waterman introduces the Gentleman. |
Waterman Gentleman |
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| 1975 | Parker introduces the 25. (“51” and 65 retired.) |
Parker 25 |
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| 1976 | Sheaffer introduces the Targa and relaunches its economy flat-top as the No Nonsense. |
Targa by Sheaffer |
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| 1977 | Parker introduces the 180. |
Parker 180 |
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| 1978 | Parker introduces the Falcon 50. |
Unique Falcon 50 Prototype |
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| 1979 | |
| 1980 | |
| 1981 | |
| 1982 | Cross introduces the Century. Parker introduces the Arrow. Sheaffer introduces the Slim Targa. (Parker 61 and Falcon 50 retired.) |
Parker Arrow |
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| 1983 | Parker introduces the Premier. Sheaffer adds fountain pens to the TRZ line, introduced in 1981 as a ballpoint. Waterman introduces the Le Man 100. |
Parker Premier, Athènes model |
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| 1984 | |
| 1985 | Sheaffer introduces the Connaisseur. Waterman introduces the Le Man 200 and the Lauréat. (Parker 180 retired.) |
Sheaffer Connaisseur |
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| 1986 | Parker relaunches the 180 as a new member of the Classic line, with a redesigned nib that is no longer flippable. Parker introduces the Vector. |
Parker Vector |
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| 1987 | |
| 1988 | Parker introduces the 88 and reintroduces the Duofold. Waterman reintroduces the Lady Patricia. (Parker Arrow retired.) |
Duofold Centennial |
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| 1989 | Parker introduces the 95, a slightly retooled version of the Arrow. Sheaffer reintroduces the Crest. |
Parker 95 Flighter |
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| 1990 | Sheaffer introduces the Fashion. Waterman introduces the Harlequin. |
Sheaffer Fashion |
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| 1991 | Cross introduces the Signature. Parker introduces the Insignia. |
Cross Signature |
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| 1992 | Cross introduces the Townsend. Montblanc introduce the Writers and Patron of the Arts Editions. Sheaffer introduces the Fashion II. Waterman introduces the Edson. |
Waterman Edson |
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| 1993 | Bexley enters the market with its limited-production Original. (Parker 95 retired.) |
Bexley Original prototype |
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| 1994 | Parker relaunches the 88 as the Rialto and introduces the Sonnet. Waterman introduces the Expert and Philéas. (Parker 75 retired.) |
Parker Rialto |
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| 1995 | Cross introduces the Solo. Sheaffer introduces the Legacy and the Triumph Imperial. Waterman introduces the Anastasia. |
Sheaffer Legacy |
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| 1996 | Cross introduces the Century II. Parker introduces the Frontier. Sheaffer produces the Triumph Imperial Holly Pen, first in a series of annual “Holiday Originals” limited editions. Waterman introduces the L’Etalon. (Sheaffer Connaisseur retired.) |
Parker Frontier |
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| 1997 | Sheaffer introduces the Prelude. One first-year Prelude version is the Snow Pen, second and last of the “Holiday Originals.”Waterman introduces the Hémisphère fountain pen (BP and RB from 1994). |
Sheaffer Snow Pen |
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| 1998 | Cross introduces the Radiance. Levenger introduces the Seas series, based on the Sheaffer Connaisseur. Sheaffer introduces the Balance II. (Sheaffer Crest, Fashion, Targa, and Triumph Imperial retired.) |
Sheaffer Balance II |
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| 1999 | Cross introduces the Pinnacle. Sheaffer introduces the Legacy II. (Sheaffer Legacy I retired. Waterman Anastasia retired.) |
Cross Pinnacle |
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| 2000 | Cross introduces the ATX. Parker introduces the Ellipse. Sheaffer introduces the Intrigue. (Waterman Le Man 200, Lauréat, and Lady Patricia retired?) |
Parker Ellipse |
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| 2001 | Bexley produces the Sleeve Filler. Parker introduces the Inflection. (Waterman Le Man 100 retired.) |
Bexley Sleeve Filler, open for filling |
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| 2002 | Parker introduces the 51 Special Edition. Sheaffer introduces the Agio. (Parker Ellipse retired.) |
51 SE with two-tone vermeil cap |
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| 2003 | Sheaffer introduces the Legacy Heritage. Signum débuts with the De Divina Proportione series. (Sheaffer Legacy II retired.) |
Signum De Divina Proportione Doric, sterling barrel |
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| 2004 | Parker introduces the 100. Sheaffer introduces the Agio Compact. (Waterman L’Etalon retired.) (Sheaffer Intrigue retired.) |
Parker 100 |
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| 2005 | Bexley produces the Stradivarius LE. Parker introduces the Latitude. Taccia introduces the Mother of Pearl. |
Parker Latitude Flighter |
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| 2006 | Bexley introduces the America the Beautiful and the Simplicity. Cross introduces the Autocross. Sheaffer introduces the Valor. (Parker 45 retired.) |
Sheaffer Valor |
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| 2007 | |
| 2008 | (Parker Insignia retired.) (Waterman Philéas retired.) |
| 2009 | Bexley produces the 56 SE in ebonite. |
Bexley 56 in red/black ebonite |
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| 2010 | |
| 2011 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2013 | Montblanc introduces the Heritage 1912. |
| 2014 | |
| 2015 | (Waterman Edson retired.) |
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The information in this article is as accurate as possible, but you should not take it as absolutely authoritative or complete. If you have additions or corrections to this page, please consider sharing them with us to improve the accuracy of our information.
This article is also available as a chapter in The RichardsPens Guide to Fountain Pens, Volume 4, an ebook for your computer or mobile device.
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