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Brand Story
Platignum confidently assert that the history of the pen is indeed their history, trumpeting an impressive record of innovation and user-friendliness. Whilst many pen makers the world over would undoubtedly beg to differ on this point, none would have the hubris to question that it absolutely applies to pens and writing in England.
Platignum pens began in 1919 and are the largely unheralded inventor of several very important writing technologies. Their current offering encapsulates the 90 or so years of development since the first Platignum fountain pen was made but perhaps more crucially, it embodies a particularly English ethic of pragmatism, utility and work.
It is an ethic that rose out of The Great Fire of London in the 17th century, drove an island country to Empire and was fortified (and indeed fortifying) during the more recent bombings on London in times of War. For what do you do when 7 out of every 8 houses in your city burn to the ground? The English discarded the frivolous, re-founded their city on better foundations than ever and then made subsequent improvements, learning to forge utility and beauty, ensuring longevity.
These qualities can be seen in Platignum's current offering, underpinning their innovations of the last 90 years. We are each a product of our upbringing and surroundings and the same applies to manufactured items.
To re-cap some of those innovations, a bullet list is easiest.
- In 1919, the world's first self-filling Gold plated nib Platignum fountain pen
- In 1925, the world's first replacement nib
- In 1939, Platignum supports the War effort with spy pens, containing maps, compasses and poison darts!
- In 1950, Platignum invents the retractable ballpoint pen
- In 1962, Platignum's Good Handwriting pen is introduced, becoming a major part of education in England
- In 1965, Platignum introduces the Platignum ink cartridge to England
- In 2007, Platignum's present 'signature' series is launched
So we can see not only a plethora of independent innovation, but some rather profound items, to say the least. The retractable ballpoint pen is probably on everybody's desk and the ink cartridge is an incredibly convenient item. But perhaps even more striking is the way that Platignum, through dedication to fundamentals, to utility, weaved its way into everyday life.
The Good Handwriting pen is remembered fondly, it lasted through entire educations and beyond. All of those 'facts' (as the Gradgrinds would insist on) were learned with a Platignum pen...a pen, one pen. It really did make a writing instrument personal because it lasted with you.
Those essential qualities of endurance and insistence on everyday application remain. The part where beauty is combined is more recent - it happened only a couple of years ago. A perfectly modern aesthetic meeting a venerable ethic.
Most of the Platignum pens are made with barrels of steel - a luxury at their price point. Where the competing Lamy Safari (wholly desirable for its own reasons) is made of sturdy ABS plastic, Platignum uses steel. Where the Safari has a very fat, Bauhaus barrel, the Platignum is smoother, more rounded - gentler.
The Platignum fountain pens come with fully exposed, semi-hooded or hooded-nibs, they come in a range of colours and styles, they have very sturdy clips, an iridium plated nib and accept standard, universal ink cartridges. All of the above reflecting that same insistence on use, on having your Platignum fountain pen become your pen.
A full analysis of Platignum's writing performance is perhaps beyond the scope of this brand story and notes can be found for each of the respective instruments by clicking through, but they are a wonderful high volume writer.
By accepting standard ink cartridges, like J Herbin, a Platignum fountain pen is allowing itself to be further customisable. You're not restricted to using a small range of 5 or 6 patented ink styles, you can use the 20+ colours from the J Herbin pallet.
So if you pick up a Platignum pen, you may not quite be holding the entire history of writing the world over in your hand. You will be holding a significant chunk of the history of pens in England in your hand. You will certainly be holding a pen which is made of excellent fundamentals and desirable accoutrements of style, shape and material. But importantly, for this is what we want most in a pen, you'll be holding something fully qualified to do its job - to work, to become your pen.
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