HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Drawing ink was invented in ancient China as long as 5,000 years ago. It consisted of oil, soot, glue and various tinctures, but their exact composition was a strictly guarded secret. 

In Europe, following numerous developmental stages, the so-called "writing tube" (reed quill) was used until the early middle ages, a thin bamboo tube fashioned in the shape of the later feather quills and split at the tip.

It was only in the 17th century that the first slate-pencil-like shanks with attached steel nibs appeared. The by no means straightforward instilling of drops of ink between the tongues of the nib had to be frequently repeated during the drawing process.

The development of tubular writing instruments began in the 30's. Further developments and technical improvements eventually made it possible to fill the pen with drawing ink for technical drawing purposes.