OT Nostalgic history of the pen ( 2 replies(was Re: Phoneme winnowing continues

Dirk Elzinga wrote:
> Now a Parker 51 in good shape will cost you $150.00 at least, and one
> I've had my eye on is going for about $950.00. I've seen them for as
> much as $2500.00 (!). I sure hope that you've kept any that you ever
> owned!
>
I did have one (another waste of $5, said father), but all my childhood
treasures were unceremoniously dumped in 1958 when my parents sold the house
and moved to Fla. (I was overseas at the time). I used to like Esterbrooks,
too, with the interchangeable points, and have one that came in an auction
box of junk for $1.00-- I'd better check that website you mentioned.....or
Ebay.

Tim May wrote:
biro /"bAIr@U/ >noun (pl. -os) Brit. trademark a kind of ballpoint pen
- ORIGIN 1940s: named after László Jósef _Biró_ (1899-1985), Hungarian
inventor of the ballpoint.

Aha!!