Sketch pen is perhaps among the first pens that we are introduced to during our tender years. It is undeniable that every child in his or her preliminary school going years finds a sketch pen handy for scribbling and playing with colors. However, as we grow old our companionship with these colorful pens gradually fade away. But we assure that if you know some unspoken truth about these pens, you would surely feel interested to take a second look at them. Here are these unspoken truths.
- Who introduced the first sketch pen
It is sure that you have never given any thought about the person who first invented sketch pencils. Theoretically, it was Benjamin Paskach who first launched a pen with sponge tip in the year 1926. However, some sources also say that this variety of pen was first patented in 1910 by Lee Newman.
- When it was first used
This is another fact that would surprise you. Although discovery of this pen was done quite long back, the one truth that remains universally accepted is that this pen became popular somewhere around 1950s.
- Why were they used initially
Just like today, sketch pen was never considered as an instrument for general writing. It was always associated with creative uses. Thus, as it is prevalent today, these pens were widely used for creating colorful texts on posters and labels.
- What is there inside the sketch pen
As we know, these felt tipped sketch pencils comprise of a felt based refill inside. The ink that makes this felt refill moist and ready for use initially comprised of xylene and toluene which would impart a distinctive smell. This tradition of making sketch pen inks with the mentioned components continued until 1990s. However, today the basic components of the ink of these pens are varieties of alcohol such as butanol and propanol.
- What are the characteristic features of this pen which makes it different
The first major attribute of this pen is its felt tip and felt based refill. The next feature is that they are provided with a tip on the bottom part of the barrel inside which the ink refill is inserted. This wise mechanism controls backflow of ink and makes it immune against leakage. This mechanism also serves a lot in keeping the nib moist because of unperturbed flow of ink through the refill to the tip. As the ink refill is prone to get dry very fast, so an additional cap further helps in ensuring that the nib will remain moist if the maintenance regulations are followed meticulously. Thirdly, the tip of the nib is thicker as compared to ball point pen. Sometimes, the nib is also made elongated and flattered with a pointed tip on one side so that it can serve well as a highlighter. Next feature is that the ink of these pens can both be permanent as well as non-permanent.
