Cross history

[Chris1]

I've just come across this on the AT Cross website and thought it might answer a few questions that arise from time to time:

https://uk.cross.com/pages/product-history

 

Chris

[Mechanical]

Very nice list, thanks! 

 

That first item, where their stylographic pen is described as a forerunner of the ballpoint pen, surprised me.  I guess I can see the connection, but I'd never thought of stylographs that way before.

 

 

[inkstainedruth]

I can sort of see it, since (when I looked the term up, it was -- as I kind of expected -- the same sort of system as a Rapidograph -- with the ink flowing down through a narrow tube along a wire inside the tube).

@Chris1 -- Thanks for posting the link.  I only a few Cross pens, and had not realized that Solos were more modern than I had realized (I have two of those, and would love at some point to get a couple of other colors and nib widths).  

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[shalitha33]

Following are two of the stylos from early period. A.T.Cross and Duncan MacKinnon if any one is interested.





This is the inside of it . Needle is unfortunately stuck in the front section  Its a bit more complicated than a fountain pen in of how air flow is managed.



This one is a McKinnon, main competitor to Cross from what i understand.  Although i could be wrong.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Thanks, have copied to my Western notes, 1881 my murderous heroine is using a Duncan MacKinnon, in I'd heard of the Cross stylograph before. Someone else is too. 

Your post gives me something to make a better description than I already have. 

 

Yes, MacKinnon invented it and Cross stole it....and or made a slight difference. Don't know if it was better, or just a tad different. There was a long-running lawsuit. I forgot who won, I think MacKinnon, or he got a settlement. 

 

Which is the MacKinnon?

 

Neither the 1895 Montgomery Ward, or the 1902 Sears and Robucks show a stylographic pen in good detail, and both are under Sears or Monkey Ward brands.