Happy Fountain Pen Day pen lovers! All across the world right now, dedicated pen fans are paying homage to their favourite writing instruments by celebrating a day dedicated solely to fine fountain pens. It’s also the start of National Novel Writing Month, which makes this the perfect day to be celebrating the (hand)written word. In case you weren’t aware, fountain pens have a rich history dating back over 5,000 years. Here are some fun facts about fountain pens that you may not have been aware of:

• The earliest form of fountain pen was used by the Ancient Egyptians, in 3,000BC. They used a reed straw to write with ink made from vegetable gum and soot.
• The earliest recorded reservoir pen – a pen which held its own ink – dates from the year 953, and mentions were made of metal writing pens throughout the 17^th and 18^th centuries. It wouldn’t be until the early 18^th century, however, that the term ‘fountain pen’ would be commonly used.
• Fountain pens can learn! If your fountain pen has a gold nib, this soft metal will slowly adjust to your style of writing over time. Therefore, the more you use your pen, the more unique your handwriting will become.
• The most expensive fountain pen in the world is the Aurora Diamante. Made from solid platinum and covered with two thousand precious stones, it’s worth approximately £922,000
• The headmaster of the Melville Junior School in Edinburgh, UK, has managed to raise academic performance at his school by insisting that all children be taught to use fountain pens from as young as 7 years old!
• The smallest fountain pen on record is called the “Nanofountain Probe”. It can write lines that are just 40 nanometre in width – that’s 40 billionths of a metre!
• Left handed people are more likely to use fountain pens than right handed people, which is due in part to the development of the rigid nib.
• Famous lovers of fountain pens include Arthur Conan Doyle, Ernest Hemmingway, Neil Gaiman and HM Elizabeth II.

What kind of fountain pen do you like to use? Let us know your favourites!