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Inkwell

technology Maturity 7-9 Next article →

An inkwell is a small jar.

Inkwell15
Inkwell15

It holds ink for writers to use. These jars can be made of many things. Some are glass or porcelain. Others are made of silver, brass, or pewter.

Inkwell15
Inkwell15

Writers dip a quill or a dip pen into the ink. They can also use them to fill a fountain pen. Most inkwells have a lid. This lid keeps the ink from drying out. It also stops spills. Some people used a travelling inkwell. These had a lid that screwed on tight. This helped ink stay in a bag during trips.

Inkwells have a very long history. They may have started in Ancient Egypt. Scribes used them to write on papyrus. In Egypt, only a few people knew how to write. These people were called scribes. After Rome invaded Egypt, inkwells became more common in Italy. This was because more people learned to write. Later, inkwells began to go away. This happened in the middle of the 20th century. New fountain pens held ink inside them. These pens did not need to be dipped as often. Old school desks even had round holes for them.

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