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Continued from product description on Early Education's Page Two...

Historical Background: The word "pen" comes from the Latin word "penna," which means feather. The Spanish theologian St. Isidore of Seville is referenced as using a quill pen during the 7th century.

Quill pens were used to write and sign the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and many other historical documents. The quill pen flourished for over a thousand years as an essential writing utensil. By 1850, quill pens were less often used because of the quality of steel nibs had improved and were replacing quill pens.

Writing with a quill pen meant cutting the tip of the goose quill with a sharp knife, hence the name "penknife." After the quill was shaped, the tip was dipped into ink. One could only write a few words with the amount of ink from each dip. After much dipping and writing, the quill would need to be cut again until a new quill had to be used. If a long letter or document were written, it likely took more than one quill, thus the consistency of the handwriting would be lost.

Because of the vast numbers of quills required, farms were established to raise geese for their quills. The left wing feathers were preferred by right-handed writers because of the curvature of the feather. The preferred goose quills are the five left outer wing "flight feathers." Other birds used for their quills include owls, hawks, eagles, swans, turkeys, ducks, and crows.

Writing with a quill pen required a supply of other materials such as ink, an inkwell, a pen wipe, a penknife, a steel ink eraser, a portable writing case for travel, and a sander or pounce to assist in drying the ink. We take writing with a pen taken for granted these days because ball-point pens, fountain pens, and other types are so readily available. Writing with a goose quill and homemade berry ink is a good way to experience what it was like for our forefathers and foremothers. It is also just plain fun to create your own pen and write with ink that you can make yourself from common household items.

Fun Fact: Thomas Jefferson kept a flock of geese solely for the purpose of supplying writing quills.

Fun Fact: Abraham Lincoln preferred an eagle feather for writing.

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