Ink Memory: The First Pen of My School Day

As someone who is currently 64, I can reflect on the simple pleasures and peculiarities of my school days. My first school was quite unique, with just 13 students, and the older children still filling ink wells in 1965. It makes me wonder: when did ballpoint pens become the norm?

The Transition from Fountain to Ballpoint

I am 68 now, and I remember the switch from using fountain pens to ballpoint pens. While many of my peers in public schools were already using ballpoint pens, Catholic schools continued to prioritize the use of fountain pens. In fact, it wasn't until the mid-1960s that the majority of Catholic schools in my area had started to embrace ballpoint pens.

Ballpoint pens were invented in 1888, a long time ago in the realm of school supplies. But for some reason, there's a lingering belief that fountain pens were still common. Perhaps it's the nostalgia or the sheer elegance of a fountain pen that makes it seem so timeless. And indeed, learning to write with a fountain pen does teach you a much more refined handwriting. The pressure-free gliding of the tip over the paper is different and, many would argue, better for the aesthetics of your script.

The Evolution of School Writing Instruments

Looking back, the transition from dip-in pens to ballpoint pens was gradual. For example, when I was in primary school, the old-fashioned dip-in pens had been phased out the previous year. Today, we might take these transitions for granted, but in 1965, the desks still bore the little holes for ink wells and the ceramic pots marked with the names of the local government committees—such as the Leeds Education Committee.

The task of filling these ink wells was carried out by an “ink monitor,” whose job it was to fill the ink pots using a funnel. This duty was seen as a special and sought-after responsibility. It was a distant memory, but one that vividly conjures the era of ink and paper.

In secondary school, there was a strict distinction: fountain pens for official work, while ballpoint pens and pencils remained the go-to for notes and rough work. The irony was that we learned to use fountain pens, which we didn't get to use much, because they taught us graceful handwriting. It's a curious and perhaps regrettable tradition, but one that I cannot deny had its charm.

Conclusion

As a 68-year-old, I often find myself reflecting on these small, time-absorbed specifics of school life. The shift from fountain pens to ballpoint pens was not just a change in writing instruments but a shift in the cultural landscape of education. For those who remember the fountain pens, it's a nostalgic reminder of a simpler time, filled with black ink and the smell of freshly sharpened pencils.

Whether you're 67 or just curious about the evolution of school writing instruments, the transition from fountain pens to ballpoint pens was part of a broader cultural shift that has left an indelible mark on generations of students.

Further Reading

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