First a word of thanks to all who contribute to this great site. Although I've used fountain pens on and off for almost 25 years, my interest has deepened (deep-penned?) recently, and I'm really impressed by the community of knowledgeable collectors and users that hang out here.
What's got me interested in this area is my irritation with the technological treadmill. I imagine most people will know what I mean by that -- the sense that every supposed improvement to my tools and gadgets actually takes me further away from where I want to be. My experience has been that modern, high-tech stuff, in other words, ends up being counterproductive a lot of the time. It takes a lot of energyto learn how to use, it includes random "features" that make no sense (why would I want a camera in my telephone?) and it's destined for the landfill after only a short useful life. And that's not to mention the aesthetics -- a lot of modern "gear" seems to be made of vile materials extruded from some toxic dump and shaped in such a way that it bugs me just to look at it.
So that's my rant. My coping mechanism is this: Wherever possible, I'm now using technology that existed when I was born, in 1959. For example, I use a safety razor and a nice badger brush; I wear a vintage Bulova watch; I read books and magazines. Obviously I'm not entirely consistent -- even this website didn't exist in 1959. But I can partly justify this particular breach of principle: I'm at work (after normal office hours), and my work requires a great deal of post-1959 technology...
Anyway, that's my little amusement -- living a bit more the way most people through history have done, i.e. with few if any significant "improvements", over the entire course of their lives, in the way they do things. And that's what brings me to fountain pens. (Ballpoints certainly existed in 1959, but they were even worse than they are now.)
I'll close with a modest anecdote. Last night I was at a church meeting, when a youngish (late 30s) man seated near me asked if he could look at my pen. I handed over my Sheaffer Canada snorkel (ca. 1960, I think), expecting him to say something like "Gee, a real ink pen!" Instead he congratulated me on being brave enough to use a snorkel, because about half of the ones in his collection leak. We then got into quite a conversation about pens, and I learned that his late father, a clergyman whom I had known slightly, was an avid collector all his life. The moral of the story is that you pen people really are everywhere.
Full Version: Wide-Eyed Newcomer
Welcome to the FPN.
I have always been a fan of appropriate technology, and with the increase of RSI, fountain pens are becoming more and more appropriate every day.
I was once asked to create a computer database system to keep track of a particular class of foreign fishing boat licences. When the operator started it up every day, it was supposed to come up with a list of all the about to expire licences, so that reminder letters could be sent out.
We went through all the specifications until I asked the fatal question "How many boats every year are we talking about?"
The answer was "Eleven".
My answer of "What's wrong with a diary?" was not appreciated...
I have always been a fan of appropriate technology, and with the increase of RSI, fountain pens are becoming more and more appropriate every day.
I was once asked to create a computer database system to keep track of a particular class of foreign fishing boat licences. When the operator started it up every day, it was supposed to come up with a list of all the about to expire licences, so that reminder letters could be sent out.
We went through all the specifications until I asked the fatal question "How many boats every year are we talking about?"
The answer was "Eleven".
My answer of "What's wrong with a diary?" was not appreciated...
Welcome to FPN.
Welcome to FPN.
Welcome to FPN!! Enjoy!
Welcome to FPN. I think I love a bit of both - old and modern. The technology treadmill ain't that bad really. Obviously certain laws of physics / gravity do not change, and in many cases we love doing stuff with our hands so I do think FPs will be around (hopefully) a long time.
Welcome aboard!.
QUOTE(1959tech @ Feb 14 2008, 03:38 AM) [snapback]513549[/snapback]
First a word of thanks to all who contribute to this great site. Although I've used fountain pens on and off for almost 25 years, my interest has deepened (deep-penned?) recently, and I'm really impressed by the community of knowledgeable collectors and users that hang out here.
What's got me interested in this area is my irritation with the technological treadmill. I imagine most people will know what I mean by that -- the sense that every supposed improvement to my tools and gadgets actually takes me further away from where I want to be. My experience has been that modern, high-tech stuff, in other words, ends up being counterproductive a lot of the time. It takes a lot of energyto learn how to use, it includes random "features" that make no sense (why would I want a camera in my telephone?) and it's destined for the landfill after only a short useful life. And that's not to mention the aesthetics -- a lot of modern "gear" seems to be made of vile materials extruded from some toxic dump and shaped in such a way that it bugs me just to look at it.
So that's my rant. My coping mechanism is this: Wherever possible, I'm now using technology that existed when I was born, in 1959. For example, I use a safety razor and a nice badger brush; I wear a vintage Bulova watch; I read books and magazines. Obviously I'm not entirely consistent -- even this website didn't exist in 1959. But I can partly justify this particular breach of principle: I'm at work (after normal office hours), and my work requires a great deal of post-1959 technology...
Anyway, that's my little amusement -- living a bit more the way most people through history have done, i.e. with few if any significant "improvements", over the entire course of their lives, in the way they do things. And that's what brings me to fountain pens. (Ballpoints certainly existed in 1959, but they were even worse than they are now.)
I'll close with a modest anecdote. Last night I was at a church meeting, when a youngish (late 30s) man seated near me asked if he could look at my pen. I handed over my Sheaffer Canada snorkel (ca. 1960, I think), expecting him to say something like "Gee, a real ink pen!" Instead he congratulated me on being brave enough to use a snorkel, because about half of the ones in his collection leak. We then got into quite a conversation about pens, and I learned that his late father, a clergyman whom I had known slightly, was an avid collector all his life. The moral of the story is that you pen people really are everywhere.
What's got me interested in this area is my irritation with the technological treadmill. I imagine most people will know what I mean by that -- the sense that every supposed improvement to my tools and gadgets actually takes me further away from where I want to be. My experience has been that modern, high-tech stuff, in other words, ends up being counterproductive a lot of the time. It takes a lot of energyto learn how to use, it includes random "features" that make no sense (why would I want a camera in my telephone?) and it's destined for the landfill after only a short useful life. And that's not to mention the aesthetics -- a lot of modern "gear" seems to be made of vile materials extruded from some toxic dump and shaped in such a way that it bugs me just to look at it.
So that's my rant. My coping mechanism is this: Wherever possible, I'm now using technology that existed when I was born, in 1959. For example, I use a safety razor and a nice badger brush; I wear a vintage Bulova watch; I read books and magazines. Obviously I'm not entirely consistent -- even this website didn't exist in 1959. But I can partly justify this particular breach of principle: I'm at work (after normal office hours), and my work requires a great deal of post-1959 technology...
Anyway, that's my little amusement -- living a bit more the way most people through history have done, i.e. with few if any significant "improvements", over the entire course of their lives, in the way they do things. And that's what brings me to fountain pens. (Ballpoints certainly existed in 1959, but they were even worse than they are now.)
I'll close with a modest anecdote. Last night I was at a church meeting, when a youngish (late 30s) man seated near me asked if he could look at my pen. I handed over my Sheaffer Canada snorkel (ca. 1960, I think), expecting him to say something like "Gee, a real ink pen!" Instead he congratulated me on being brave enough to use a snorkel, because about half of the ones in his collection leak. We then got into quite a conversation about pens, and I learned that his late father, a clergyman whom I had known slightly, was an avid collector all his life. The moral of the story is that you pen people really are everywhere.
Welcome to The Fountain Pen Network:
Technology is great. Love computers. But I am struggling with trying to figure out what dcwaites means by RSI. I know I shouldn't worry but I do. Maybe Really Strong Ink. Nothing of sense is coming to me at this moment.
pjh
QUOTE(repairperson @ Feb 17 2008, 06:23 PM) [snapback]516845[/snapback]
Welcome to The Fountain Pen Network:
Technology is great. Love computers. But I am struggling with trying to figure out what dcwaites means by RSI. I know I shouldn't worry but I do. Maybe Really Strong Ink. Nothing of sense is coming to me at this moment.
pjh
Technology is great. Love computers. But I am struggling with trying to figure out what dcwaites means by RSI. I know I shouldn't worry but I do. Maybe Really Strong Ink. Nothing of sense is coming to me at this moment.
pjh
RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury.
By using tools like keyboards or ballpoint pens, there is a minor strain on your hands. If you rest, your hands recover. If you continue to use the same tool, the damage may become serious and/or permanent.
Some people who hand write a lot with ballpoints, and get RSI, can get relief by using a fountain pen, because it is much easier to write with a good fountain pen than a bad ballpoint.
Welcome to FPN 
'59 was a good year apparently 
Welcome and enjoy. 
Welcome and enjoy.
QUOTE(dcwaites @ Feb 17 2008, 07:43 AM) [snapback]516850[/snapback]
QUOTE(repairperson @ Feb 17 2008, 06:23 PM) [snapback]516845[/snapback]
Welcome to The Fountain Pen Network:
Technology is great. Love computers. But I am struggling with trying to figure out what dcwaites means by RSI. I know I shouldn't worry but I do. Maybe Really Strong Ink. Nothing of sense is coming to me at this moment.
pjh
Technology is great. Love computers. But I am struggling with trying to figure out what dcwaites means by RSI. I know I shouldn't worry but I do. Maybe Really Strong Ink. Nothing of sense is coming to me at this moment.
pjh
RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury.
By using tools like keyboards or ballpoint pens, there is a minor strain on your hands. If you rest, your hands recover. If you continue to use the same tool, the damage may become serious and/or permanent.
Some people who hand write a lot with ballpoints, and get RSI, can get relief by using a fountain pen, because it is much easier to write with a good fountain pen than a bad ballpoint.
Thanks David.
I would never have come up with that. I was getting RBI Repetitive Brain Strain from trying to figure it out.
pj
Welcome to FPN. I have similar reasons for some of the everyday items that accompany me - like my automatic watch and my fountain pens. And based on what you wrote, I think you'd probably enjoy the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance if you haven't already read it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy FPN.
Ahh, someone born the same year I was. I have a Sheaffer made "my" year.
Nice rant and welcome to the FPN!!
I too love the older things so therefore am a collector/user of vintage FP's.
I too love the older things so therefore am a collector/user of vintage FP's.
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