The 1800s was a great century for advancements in medicine, social revolution and, of course, pens. The big thing in the 1800s was the fountain pen, which used a steel point and an inkwell. The late 1800s brought us a fountain pen with its own self-contained ink, which meant not having to dip the pen in an inkwell.

Before the steel pen points were invented, writers would use quills, reeds or still brushes as pens.

The famous ballpoint pen was patented by John H. Loud, an American inventor, in 1888. The pen didn’t see much use until World War II, but pilots started using ballpoint pens because they wouldn’t leak at high altitudes. The pens became much more popular after the war, and are a popular choice today.