More on the Fountain Pen

Scenology — By on 22 November, 2006 9:50 pm

To complement our previous discussion on pens and ink as instruments of discipline, “The Times” printed the following on the 15 November:

In the days when fountain pens were widespread, was there ever a pupil whose school blazer did not have a giant inky map all over the lining or a blue puddle in the top pocket?
The fountain pen was also a favourite weapon of the naughty schoolboy. The nib could be used to jab other pupils and some models, especially those which filled from bottles by pistons or levers, were ideal for squirting ink. The more primitive dip-in types also made crude darts. But the favourite of every schoolboy was the ink pellet – the blotting-paper-and-ink device detested by every teacher.

Thank you, Times, for great ideas for misdeeds for my future videos.

4 Comments

  1. Erica says:
    22 November, 2006 at 10:42 pm

    Adele, this has nothing to do with anything, but this proofreader gets a big thrill when someone knows the difference between complEment and compliment, and which is which. My compliments to you.

    (I know, I need to get out more.)

  2. Remus says:
    22 November, 2006 at 10:42 pm

    I remember on one occasion two of my classmates were having an ink pellet fight in Geography class, and an ink pellet landed in the middle of Sicilly on a huge, beautifully detailed, antique relief map which was the teacher’s pride and joy. Fortunately, it kind of blended in a bit with Sicilly’s features and was probably why the teacher didn’t notice when he returned, and why, I and my classmates lived to tell the tale :) In those days, just being in the general area meant you were guilty by association, so the whole class would have been for it!

  3. iwasrobert says:
    22 November, 2006 at 11:28 pm

    Nowdays the teacher would have to fill out a report (in triplicate, probably) before taking any action; in Australia at least.

  4. Redhead says:
    23 November, 2006 at 6:51 am

    All those arcane terms: nib, feeder, sack, barrel, lever, cap and shroud the Schaeffer fountain pen expert in my mom’s shop knew off by heart.

    Her bottom also took a very sound strapping – one of my earliest spanking experiences.

    A, thanks for triggering the memory. :)

    R

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