WRITING INSTRUMENTS
I. Definition of Terms
A. Flexibility of Pen Point - Quality of nib pens measured by pressure needed to spread nibs for shading.
B. Fountain Pen - Modern nib with an internal ink reservoir; can write multiple pages without refilling.
C. Ink - Fluid or viscous material used for writing/printing.
D. Pen - Derived from Latin *"penna"* (feather); applies ink to paper.
E. Pen Nibs - The two split points forming the writing tip.
F. Quill Pens - Hollow feathers (goose, swan, crow) used historically; required cutting/sharpening.
G. Writing Instruments- Manual tools for making marks on surfaces, controlled by hand/arm
movements.
II. Historical Background
A. Reed Pens (2000 BC) - Made from swamp reeds (Egypt, Armenia); frayed ends functioned like
brushes.
B. Quill Pens (6th century AD) - Replaced reed pens; required hardening and cutting.
- Declined in the 18th century due to mass education.
C. Steel Point Pens (18th century) - First patented by Bryan Donkin (1803); durable metal alternative to
quills.
D. Fountain Pens (1884). - Invented by Lewis Waterman; used capillary action for even ink flow.
E. Ballpoint Pens (1888/1938) - Patented by John Loud; perfected by Biro brothers with oil-based ink.
- Advantages: Waterproof, un-erasable, worked on carbon copies.
F. Fiber Tip Pens (1962). - Invented by Yukio Horie (Japan); used synthetic fibers for dye-based ink.
G. Felt-Tip Markers (1970s) - Broad-tipped markers with dye-impregnated fibers.
III. Ink Composition & Characteristics
1. Indian Inks: Carbon black + shellac/borax.
2. Logwood Inks: Obsolete; made from wood chips and potassium chromate.
3. Iron Gallotanate Inks: Ferrous tannate suspension; used for 1,000+ years.
4. Fountain Pen Inks: Lower iron content, higher dye concentration (e.g., "blue-black permanent").
5. Dyestuff Inks: Synthetic dyes with preservatives (e.g., glycerol).
6. Ballpoint Inks: Oil-based (oleic acid or polyethylene glycol); developed for military use.
7. Specialty Inks:
- Stamp Pad: Glycerol/glycol-based.
- Typewriter Ribbons: Dyes + carbon black.
- Canceling Inks: Carbon-based; resistant to removal.
- Skrip Ink: Fluoresces under UV light if erased.
IV. Ink Examination & Forensic Analysis
A. Non-Destructive Methods
- Visual inspection, microscopy, photography.
B. Chromatographic Analysis
- Primary method: Separates ink dyes for comparison.
Procedure:
1. Extract ink with solvents (water for dyes; ethanol/acetone for ballpoint ink).
2. Use filter paper to isolate dye components.
C. Age Determination
1. Ballpoint Inks:
- Oleic acid (pre-1950) vs. polyethylene glycol (post-1950).
- Phthalocyanine dyes indicate post-1954.
2. Iron Gallotanate Inks:
- Color change (ferrous → ferric iron).
- Solubility decreases with age.
3. Dyestuff Inks:
- Presence of modern dyes (e.g., phthalocyanine post-1953).
D. Chemical Tests
- Ferrous Iron Detection: Use α,α'-dipyridyl reagent to identify fresh ink (turns red).
Key Takeaways
1. Evolution: Reed → Quill → Steel → Fountain → Ballpoint → Fiber/Felt.
2. Ink Chemistry: Varies by era (e.g., carbon black → synthetic dyes).
3. Forensics: Chromatography and solubility tests determine ink age/origin.
