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Inkwell

technology Maturity 7-9 Next article →

An inkwell is a small container used for holding ink.

Inkwell15
Inkwell15

It sits near a writer to make writing easy. These jars are made from many different materials. Some are made of clear glass or white porcelain. Others are made of metals like silver, brass, or pewter.

Inkwell15
Inkwell15

Writers use these tools to keep their ink ready. They are very important for anyone using a pen.

Using an inkwell is a simple way to work.

Inkwell15
Inkwell15

A person dips a quill or a dip pen into the jar. They can also use it to fill a fountain pen. Most inkwells have a lid on top. This lid stops the ink from drying out too fast. It also keeps the ink from spilling or getting dirty.

Inkwell15
Inkwell15

Some people even used a travelling inkwell. This type had a lid that screwed on very tight. This helped travelers carry ink in their luggage without leaks.

Inkwells have been around for a very long time.

Inkwell15
Inkwell15

Their history may go back to Ancient Egypt. Back then, scribes used them to write on papyrus. In Egypt, only a few people knew how to read and write. These people were called scribes. They wrote for important people like the pharaoh.

Inkwell15
Inkwell15

This was a very special and restricted job.

History shows how inkwells moved across the world.

Inkwell15
Inkwell15

After Rome invaded Egypt, inkwells became more popular in Italy. This happened because more people in Italy learned to write. For a long time, they were a common tool. However, they began to fall out of use later on. This change happened during the middle of the 20th century.

Inkwell15
Inkwell15

New pens changed how people wrote forever.

We can still see traces of inkwells today.

Inkwell15
Inkwell15

Old school desks used to have round holes. These holes were made specifically to hold an inkwell. The inkwell was replaced by the reservoir fountain pen. These new pens hold ink inside them for a long time. This means you do not have to dip the pen as often. It was a big change for how people worked.

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