Dip Pen, circa 1930

Summary

Pens with metal tips called nibs became widely used in the mid-1800s thanks to mass production. To write, the tip of the pen was dipped into ink. The metal tip was replaced when it became dull. Pens with metal nibs required dipping into ink less often than quill pens (made of a feather), which had been used for thousands of years.

Pens with metal tips called nibs became widely used in the mid-1800s thanks to mass production. To write, the tip of the pen was dipped into ink. The metal tip was replaced when it became dull. Pens with metal nibs required dipping into ink less often than quill pens (made of a feather), which had been used for thousands of years.

Artifact

Dip pen

Date Made

circa 1930

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

00.1382.218

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Wood (Plant Material)
Cork (Bark)
Steel

Dimensions

Length: 7.75 in

Inscriptions

Wolverine Lynn B. Emery, Inc.

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