The Invention
The patent, US419065A, granted to William B. Purvis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 7, 1890, is for an improved fountain pen. The invention’s primary goal is to solve the problem of inconsistent ink flow. Purvis’s design ensures that ink flows to the pen nib in a “speed and volume commensurate with the requirement and duty of the pen.”
Key Features:
- “Positive” Ink Flow: Unlike previous pens that relied on gravity or capillary action alone, Purvis’s design uses a mechanism that actively forces ink out. The pen-holder is designed to work with the natural motion of writing to regulate ink delivery.
- Elastic Ink-Feeding Tube: The pen uses a flexible, elastic tube (H) that connects the ink reservoir to the nib.
- Pressure-Point Mechanism: The holder terminates in two parts: a flexible arm (B) that holds the pen nib and a rigid “pressure-point” (I).
- Operation:
- During the normal downward writing stroke, the pen’s nib presses against the paper.
- This pressure is transferred through the flexible arm, causing the rigid pressure-point to push down on the elastic ink tube.
- This compression of the tube expels a small, controlled amount of ink to the nib.
- Simultaneously, the pen’s own elasticity moves the nib away from the tube’s orifice, allowing the ink to flow.
- Anti-Clogging Wire: To prevent the tube’s orifice from becoming clogged, the pen has a wire (G) that runs through the elastic tube. This wire is curved at the end to match the tube’s curve, ensuring the opening stays clear and promotes a “more ready flow of ink.”
Significance of the Invention and Inventor
William B. Purvis was a prolific African American inventor who contributed to various industries. His fountain pen patent is an excellent example of his ingenuity and focus on improving everyday items.
- Solving a Common Problem: Early fountain pens were often unreliable. They would either leak or their ink flow would be inconsistent, leading to blotting or streaky writing. Purvis’s design was a practical and elegant solution to this problem, making writing a much more reliable experience. His focus on a “positive manner” of ink delivery was a key step in making the fountain pen a commercially viable and popular writing tool.
- A Prolific Innovator: Purvis’s inventive mind was not limited to one field. He held numerous patents for a wide range of inventions, including a machine for making paper bags, a railway signal, and a a type of globe valve. This wide-ranging portfolio makes him a notable figure in the history of American innovation.
- Contribution to a Core Technology: The fountain pen was a vital technology for business, education, and personal use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Purvis’s improvements contributed directly to its widespread adoption by making it a dependable and user-friendly product.
