

Pen is a device used for writing purposes on a variety of surfaces. The most commonly used medium for writing is paper. Reed pen was the first pen invented by man many centuries ago. After the reed pen was introduced the quill pen. It was made from the feathers of different birds. Followed by quill pen were the dip pens. These pens were used to write on paper by dipping it in the ink.
Over the years, these types of pens have been replaced by modern versions. Today, there is a variety of pens to choose from, depending on the specific needs.
The fountain pen was introduced in the 1880s which uses liquid ink. It has a built in reservoir for ink, known as the cartridge. The cartridge is refillable, which allows the pen to be used for a longer period of time. The flexible nib at the end is ideal for fancy writing, although it requires skill and care.
Another commonly used pen is a ball pen. It works by using oil-based ink which is quite sticky. They have a ball at the tip of nib which helps in writing on a paper and other surfaces as well. These pens are most non-erasable and are relatively low-priced. The handling of these pens is quite simple. Moreover, erasable ball pens are also available now. Nowadays, people are more inclined towards using ball pens instead of fountain pens. However, the ball points are seen to restrict smooth writing.
Another pen, similar to the ball point pen, is the roller ball pen. It has a similar design as the ball point pen, except that it uses a water-based liquid, or gel. This makes the pen move more easily across the surface as compared to a ball point pen and gives a better writing experience. One drawback is the short ink life.
The fibre tip pen was introduced in the 1960s, and has a fibrous tip. They come in various sizes, from small to large. Small sizes are used for normal writing, medium are used for colouring purposes, whereas, large sizes are used for writing on surfaces such as cardboards and plastic. These pens are commonly used by children because they also come in washable ink variety. Apart from that, permanent and non-permanent ink types are also available.
The most recent invention is the gel pen. They were introduced in 1995 and have gained popularity since then. They come in various colours and other varieties such as glittered or scented. They have a richer colour, and are smoother than roller ball pens. On the other hand, they also have the smallest ink life among all types, usually just three to five weeks.
The use of different pens depends upon the need. Students should use roller pens, gel pens should be used by children for colouring purposes. While ball pens are recommended for daily use.
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