1894

Parker invents the pioneering anti-leak system, the ‘Lucky Curve’ – Parker's second patent and major breakthrough.



1906

Inspired by the Art Nouveau movement, the gold and sterling silver Parker Snake pens are launched and will become valuable collector’s items.

1914

Parker’s Trench Pen is designed for soldiers and uses dry ink tablets activated by adding water. In this year, Kenneth Parker joins the company.

1918

Parker’s sales surpass the US$1 million mark for the first time.

1921

Parker launches Duofold, a large, bold, premium-priced pen, which captures the spirit of the Roaring Twenties. Soon afterwards, Duofold becomes world famous with the ‘Big Red’, for its new bright orange colour and 25-year guarantee.

1921

Parker launches Duofold, a large, bold, premium-priced pen, which captures the spirit of the Roaring Twenties. Soon afterwards, Duofold becomes world famous with the ‘Big Red’, for its new bright orange colour and 25-year guarantee.

Vintage photograph of a hand throwing pens from an airplane.
1928

‘Duofold is now made with a beautiful and durable new plastic material proven to resist cracking, whether dropped from an airplane (pictured here in 1932) or to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Parker innovates in marketing and advertising.

Vintage framed advertisement for Quink ink hung on a wall.
1931

The Parker research department’s first product arrives on the market. After three years and 1021 experiments, a quick-drying ink – ‘Quink’ (formula #1022) – arrives. This is the first pen-cleaning ink that dries fast on paper and needs no blotter.

A Vacumatic fountain pen laid on its side with pen cap stood upright.
1933

The Vacumatic pen is developed together with the now-famous Parker arrow clip designed by Joseph Platt. The innovative pen holds more than twice as much ink compared to pens of its time and has a visible ink reservoir.

Vintage advertisement for Parker 51 pens in Spanish.
1939

To mark the company’s 51st year, the Parker 51 is developed in 1939 and 1940 and launched in 1941. Inspired by Kenneth Parker’s passion for aircraft aerodynamics, it appears ‘like a pen from another planet’. It won the Academy Award for Best Design and is one of the best pens of the 20th century.

1945

The World War II German surrender is signed with a Parker 51 provided to General Dwight D. Eisenhower by his friend Kenneth Parker. General Douglas MacArthur uses his wife’s Duofold to sign the Japanese surrender.

1954

Production begins on the Jotter, Parker’s ballpoint pen. The Jotter sells 3.5 million in its first year and remains popular today.


1958

Designed in 1933 by Joseph Platt, a prominent designer of the 1930s, the famous Parker arrow was inspired by Kenneth Parker’s passion for revolutionary transportation and aviation. First featured as a clip on the Vacumatic pen, it symbolises Parker’s pioneering attitude. In 1958, it became the brand’s emblem and evolved in 2015 to match the brand’s modern standards of sophistication and luxury.

1962

Parker is awarded the Royal Warrant by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming the official supplier of writing instruments to the Royal Household.


1964

The New York World’s Fair opens. Parker’s pavilion features an IBM computer that matches ‘pen friends’ from all over the world, thus becoming the original social network.

1972

To commemorate the American moon landing, a Special Edition Parker 75 was created. The pen contained a small amount of moon dust.

1972

To commemorate the American moon landing, a Special Edition Parker 75 was created. The pen contained a small amount of moon dust.

Tip of fountain pen
1970

Parker launches the T-1. Made entirely of titanium, it became known as the ‘space pen’.

A limited edition pen to commemorate the Royal wedding in a prestigious gift box with certificate of authenticity.
1981

In honour of the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer, Parker releases a unique Limited Edition of the Parker 105.

Closeup of a Parker 75 pen cap and barrel.
1987

Four unique sterling silver Parker 75 pens are custom-made. The pens are used to sign the Intermediate Nuclear Arms Treaty by American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev on 8 December.

Closeup of Royal Warrant appointed by the Prince of Wales.
1990

Parker is granted a second Royal Warrant from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

1996

A commemorative Duofold edition pen is launched to acknowledge the American artist Norman Rockwell, who produced several pieces of artwork for Parker dating back to 1929.


2009

Parker Premier is launched, using innovative and aesthetic materials.


2011

Parker 5th technology is introduced, together with Parker Ingenuity, revolutionising the pen industry with an innovative mode of writing.


2013

Parker celebrates the act of writing by collecting, exhibiting and sharing written words from global and local opinion leaders that inspire, pass through time and travel across nations for future generations.

2015

Parker announces enhancements to the Duofold and Sonnet collections alongside an elevated new take on the Parker brand identity, encouraging people to slow down, organise their thoughts and embrace better thinking.

2015

Parker announces enhancements to the Duofold and Sonnet collections alongside an elevated new take on the Parker brand identity, encouraging people to slow down, organise their thoughts and embrace better thinking.

Parker Pen Company History


Discover the treasured Parker pen company history, from its inception in 1888 to wartime efforts and beyond. Throughout Parker’s history, you’ll find inspiration and devotion to the art of fine pen making, love of country and passion for quality. Explore a legacy that earned Parker pens two Royal Warrants in recognition for the ‘highest standards of service, quality and excellence’. Learn how peacetime accords were signed with Parker 51 and Parker Duofold pens. Begin your own legacy with an elegant Parker pen today.